Best Indonesian Street Food in 2025 – Top 20 Must-Try Dishes from Jakarta to Bali
Indonesia’s rich culinary culture is truly a feast for the senses, and there’s no better way to experience it than through the street food scene. if you’re looking to truly immerse yourself in Indonesia’s vibrant culinary world, we’ve got you covered with the 7 most popular Indonesian street food that are sure to leave your taste buds dancing with delight. So dig in and savour the flavours – selamat makan! leo.
In every corner of Indonesia especially Jakarta you will find these main 7 Dishes. These must be on your Foodie’s List :
🥇1. Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
A legendary staple of Indonesian street food, Nasi Goreng is fried rice stir-fried with sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), chili, garlic, and shallots. It’s usually topped with a fried egg and paired with fried chicken, shrimp crackers (kerupuk), or pickles.
📍 Where to Try: Jalan Sabang, Jakarta or local night markets in Yogyakarta
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–30,000 (~$1–2)
🌶️ Spice Level: Mild to hot
🥗 Options: Vegetarian versions available
🍚 2. Bubur Ayam (Chicken Rice Porridge)
Perfect for breakfast, Bubur Ayam is a warm savory rice porridge topped with shredded chicken, fried soybeans, celery, and crackers (kerupuk).
📍 Famous Spot: Bubur Ayam Barito, Jakarta
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–20,000 (~$0.75–$1.50)
🥣 Tip: Add sweet soy sauce and cakwe (fried dough stick)
🍢 3. Sate Ayam (Chicken Satay)
One of Indonesia’s most famous exports, Sate Ayam consists of grilled skewered chicken served with peanut sauce, rice cakes (lontong), and sambal.
📍 Must-Try: Sate Senayan (Jakarta), Sate Madura carts
🍗 Served With: Lontong, sambal kacang (peanut sauce)
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–30,000 (~$1–2)
🔥 Street Tip: Look for vendors grilling over coconut shell charcoal for smokier flavor
🍛 4. Nasi Padang (Padang Rice with Mixed Dishes)
Originating from West Sumatra, Nasi Padang is a rice meal served with a variety of spicy curries, meats, vegetables, and sambals. You don’t order—just sit down and dozens of dishes are placed in front of you.
📍 Where to Try: Sederhana Padang Restaurant chains across Indonesia
🐟 Popular Add-ons: Rendang, fried chicken, spicy cassava leaves
💰 Price: IDR 25,000–60,000 (~$2–4)
🌶️ Spice Level: Medium to very spicy
🍽️ Tip: You only pay for what you eat from the selection
🍜 5. Mie Ayam (Chicken Noodles)
Mie Ayam is a comforting street noodle dish made of yellow wheat noodles topped with seasoned chicken, scallions, and fried shallots. It’s usually served with a light broth on the side.
📍 Top Vendor: Bakmi GM (Jakarta, Surabaya)
💰 Price: IDR 12,000–25,000 (~$1–2)
🥬 Vegetarian? Some places offer tofu-based toppings
🥣 Style Note: Try Mie Ayam Pangsit (with wontons)
🥉6. Martabak (Stuffed Pancake)
Perhaps my fav dessert in the world. Indonesia’s answer to a dessert or savory snack. Two popular versions: Martabak Manis (sweet, with chocolate, cheese, condensed milk) and Martabak Telur (savory, stuffed with eggs, minced meat, scallions).
📍 Top Pick: Martabak Pecenongan 65A, Jakarta
💰 Price: IDR 30,000–60,000 (~$2–4)
🌱 Vegetarian? Martabak Manis is vegetarian-friendly
🦆 7. Bebek Madura (Madura-Style Fried Duck)
Crispy, deeply seasoned duck fried to perfection, Bebek Madura comes from the island of Madura and is famous for its black sambal (sambal hitam).
📍 Best Places: Bebek Sinjay (Bangkalan, Madura)
💰 Price: IDR 30,000–50,000 (~$2–3.50)
🔥 Warning: The black chili sambal is extremely spicy but flavorful
🍚 Served With: White rice, cucumber, basil
🥬 8. Gado-Gado (Veggie Peanut Salad)
A vegetarian favorite made from blanched vegetables, tofu, egg, and rice cakes topped with spicy peanut sauce.
📍 Try: Gado-Gado Boplo (Jakarta)
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–25,000
🌱 Tip: Naturally vegan if you skip the egg
🍲 9. Soto Ayam (Turmeric Chicken Soup)
A fragrant, yellow broth soup with shredded chicken, vermicelli, boiled egg, and lime.
📍 Where: Soto Kudus or Soto Betawi stalls
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–25,000
🍋 Pro Tip: Add lime juice and sambal for balance
🐟 10. Pempek (Fishcake with Vinegar Sauce)
Savory fish cakes from Palembang, usually stuffed with egg and served with spicy sweet vinegar sauce (cuko).
📍 Must-Try: Pempek Pak Raden (Jakarta, Palembang)
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–25,000
🥚 Best Version: Pempek kapal selam (stuffed with egg)
🍱 11. Warteg (Warung Tegal – Local Comfort Food)
Buffet-style “mom-and-pop” eateries offering dozens of ready-to-eat dishes at a budget price.
📍 Found Everywhere: Especially near offices and schools
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–20,000
🧾 Experience: Point at what you want — no menu needed!
🍽️ 12. Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice Platter)
A Bali staple featuring a mix of meats, veggies, peanuts, sambal, and fried noodles — all over rice.
📍 Popular Spot: Nasi Campur Men Weti, Sanur, Bali
💰 Price: IDR 20,000–35,000
🔥 Spicy Meter: Can be very spicy — ask for “tidak pedas” if needed
🍜 13. Siomay (Steamed Dumplings with Peanut Sauce)
Steamed fish dumplings, cabbage, potatoes, and eggs topped with spicy peanut sauce and lime.
📍 Look For: Pushcarts or roadside vendors
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–20,000
🍋 Pair With: Sweet soy sauce and lime for extra punch
🥟 14. Bakso (Indonesian Meatball Soup)
Bakso is a hearty street soup made with meatballs, noodles, tofu, and a light broth, typically served with chili, fried shallots, and sweet soy sauce. It’s beloved by locals and tourists alike.
📍 Best Place: Bakso President (Malang)
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–30,000
🥩 Tip: Choose beef-based balls for authenticity; chicken or vegetarian variants available
🌶️ 15. Nasi Manado (Spicy North Sulawesi Rice)
This fiery rice platter from Manado (North Sulawesi) features side dishes like rica-rica chicken, woku fish, and papaya flower stir-fry, famous for bold flavors and lots of chili.
📍 Where to Try: Rumah Makan Manado (Jakarta & Sulawesi)
💰 Price: IDR 30,000–50,000
🔥 Spice Warning: Easily the spiciest meal on this list
🌱 Vegetarian Options: Yes — try sautéed vegetables and fried tofu
🍚 16. Nasi Uduk (Coconut Milk Rice)
Nasi Uduk is steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, lemongrass, bay leaf, and cloves—resulting in a rich, fragrant base. It’s usually served with fried chicken, tempeh, sambal, fried shallots, and boiled egg.
📍 Where: Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang (Jakarta)
💰 Price: IDR 10,000–25,000
🌱 Optional: Pair with tofu/tempeh for a vegetarian-friendly version
⏰ Best Time: Popular breakfast item
🌕 17. Nasi Kuning (Yellow Turmeric Rice)
A festive dish, Nasi Kuning is made with turmeric and coconut milk, giving it a golden color and aromatic flavor. It’s served with shredded chicken, spicy sambal, omelet, and crunchy fried potatoes.
📍 Where: Special events, markets, and local food carts
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–30,000
🎉 Tradition: Commonly served during celebrations and birthdays
🌶️ Side Tip: Often comes with abon (meat floss) and fried sambal
🐄 18. Sate Padang (West Sumatran Satay with Curry Sauce)
A spicy beef satay from Padang, made with beef tongue, offal, or meat, skewered and served with thick, bright yellow curry sauce and rice cakes (lontong).
📍 Where: Sate Padang Ajo Ramon (Jakarta, Padang)
💰 Price: IDR 15,000–30,000
🔥 Spice Level: High – be prepared!
🟡 Sauce Tip: The sauce is thickened with rice flour, not peanuts
🥩 19. Sate Maranggi (Sweet Beef Satay from West Java)
Unlike other Indonesian satays, Sate Maranggi is marinated in sweet soy sauce, garlic, and tamarind, giving it a sweet-savory flavor. It’s typically grilled and served with sambal tomat (chili tomato sauce).
📍 Top Spot: Sate Maranggi Cibungur (Purwakarta, West Java)
💰 Price: IDR 20,000–40,000
🧅 Served With: Pickled shallots, chili, and steamed rice
🍖 Meat Tip: Usually made from beef, but sometimes goat or lamb
🍖 20. Coto Makassar (Makassar Beef Soup)
Coto Makassar is a rich, savory beef soup made from offal and slow-cooked in a spiced peanut-based broth. Served with rice cakes (burasa or ketupat), it’s one of the most iconic street foods from South Sulawesi.
📍 Where: Coto Nusantara or Coto Gagak, Makassar
💰 Price: IDR 20,000–35,000
🥩 Main Ingredients: Beef brisket, offal, garlic, galangal, roasted peanuts
🍚 Pro Tip: Eat it with burasa—Makassar-style steamed rice in coconut milk
Frequently Asked Questions About Street Food in Indonesia
Is Indonesian street food safe to eat?
Yes, especially if it's freshly cooked and served hot. Choose busy vendors with good hygiene. Avoid anything that's been sitting out too long or looks undercooked.
What are the must-try Indonesian street foods?
Start with Nasi Goreng, Sate Ayam, Martabak, Gado-Gado, Bakso, and Coto Makassar — they’re flavorful and widely loved by locals and tourists alike.
Is street food in Indonesia halal?
Most street food is halal, especially in Muslim-majority areas. However, always confirm with the vendor — “Apakah ini halal?” means “Is this halal?” in Bahasa Indonesia.
How much does street food cost in Indonesia?
Street food is very affordable — usually between IDR 10,000 to 30,000 (about $0.70 to $2 USD) depending on the location and dish.
Are vegetarian or vegan options available?
Yes! Gado-Gado, Lontong Sayur with tofu, Tahu Goreng, Tempe Mendoan, and several rice dishes can be made vegetarian or vegan. Just ask to skip egg, shrimp paste, or meat.
From light snacks to main plate, you’re ready to have your food tour in Jakarta. If you have ever tried one of these 7 most popular Indonesian street food, please leave a comment by sharing your experience.
