10 Must-Try Spicy Indonesian Foods for a Flavorful Adventure

7 hours ago 3

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is known for its spicy and flavorful cuisine, which is deeply ingrained in the local culinary tradition. Given the country's diverse landscape and rich agricultural heritage, it is no surprise that Indonesian dishes feature an impressive array of spices and chiles. This has led to the creation of countless spicy dishes that are a delight for those who enjoy a little heat. Here are 10 spicy Indonesian dishes you must try.

List of Must-Try Spicy Indonesian Foods

1. Ayam Betutu

Ayam Betutu

Ayam Betutu is a fiery Balinese dish featuring chicken or duck. This vibrant, reddish-yellow dish is slow-cooked with a complex blend of spices known as bumbu genep, which includes chiles, black and white pepper, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, and local Balinese spices like tabia bun and bangle. The result is a profoundly aromatic and spicy meal.

2. Bubur Pedas Sambas

Bubur Pedas, or spicy porridge, is a traditional Malay dish from Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan. (ANTARA/Cahya Sari)

Hailing from Kalimantan, specifically Pontianak and Singkawang, Bubur Pedas Sambas is a unique spicy porridge. To create its distinctive heat, rice is first roasted with pepper before being cooked into a creamy porridge. Once a dish reserved for royal events, it is now a popular street food sold at many stalls.

3. Asam Pedas Tempoyak

Asam Pedas Tempoyak Patin, a classic Jambi dish. TEMPO/Shinta Maharani

Asam Pedas Tempoyak is a classic Jambi dish. It features a sauce made from fermented durian (tempoyak) mixed with chili paste. This fiery paste is then combined with lemongrass, turmeric, and other spices to create a tangy and spicy broth, which is typically used to cook patin (catfish).

4. Ayam Taliwang

Ayam Taliwang. Photo: Canva

In Lombok, you will find the iconic Ayam Taliwang, a spicy chicken dish that can be grilled or fried. Its intense heat comes from a paste of shallots, lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime leaves, and other spices, creating a truly unforgettable flavor.

5. Balado

Balado shrimp. Photo: Doc. Frisian Flag

Originating from West Sumatra, Balado is a spicy chili paste used to coat various ingredients, such as eggs, chicken, or shrimp. This popular dish can be found across Indonesia and is typically cooked with kaffir lime leaves, galangal, shrimp paste, and lemongrass to create a rich and savory flavor profile.

6. Rica-rica

Ayam Rica-rica. shutterstock.com

A spicy specialty from Manado, North Sulawesi, Rica-rica is a fiery dish featuring meat, poultry, or fish cooked in a vibrant chili sauce. Similar in preparation to balado, it uses a generous amount of chilis mixed with various other spices to create a powerful and aromatic flavor.

7. Rendang

Rendang, a typical Minang cuisine, West Sumatra, Indonesia. (Photo: easycookingindo.blogspot.com)

Recognized globally, Rendang is a West Sumatran dish and a cornerstone of Minangkabau culture. This slow-cooked meat, often beef, has a spicy and savory flavor and a tender, fibrous texture. The rich taste comes from a mix of yellow spices and coconut milk, which makes the dish incredibly flavorful and aromatic.

8. Mie Aceh

From the region known as the "Veranda of Mecca," Mie Aceh is a famous noodle dish. Chewy yellow noodles are served in a rich, spicy broth, often with beef, lamb, or seafood like shrimp and crab. It is a deeply flavorful and aromatic dish with a spicy kick.

9. Seblak

Seblak is a spicy Sundanese street food with a unique texture. Made from boiled crackers, it is served in a special, spicy broth. Popular in Bandung since the 2000s, this dish has evolved from a simple snack into a modern favorite with many variations, including additions like chicken feet or bone marrow. Its spicy and refreshing taste has made it a favorite among many.

10. Pecel

Pecel. Photo: @duniakulinersurabaya

Dating back to the 9th century, Pecel is a classic Javanese dish. While it may look similar to gado-gado at first glance, pecel is a distinct vegetarian dish of boiled vegetables drizzled with a spicy peanut sauce. The sauce, or sambal, is a flavorful blend of chilis, lesser galangal, peanuts, brown sugar, salt, and shrimp paste, creating a complex, sweet, and spicy flavor.