Local Culinary: 'Obama' Nasi Goreng

Nasi goreng is one of the Indonesian national dishes served in a plastic plate at a roadside food stall, on porcelain in restaurants, or collected from the buffet tables of Jakarta dinner parties. Its origin is supposed to be from Southern Chinese, just like mie goreng which origin is more obvious. Some guess that the acculturation began at the era of Srivijaya or Majapahit around the 15th century when local people simply dried the leftover rice to make rice cracker instead of fried rice as the Chinese did.

 

Nasi goreng refers to fried pre-cooked rice accompanied with ingredients, particularly onions, chili, cucumber, tomatoes, fried eggs alternately added with chicken and prawns or salted dried fish. Some common condiments are fried onion, crackers, pickles and chili sauce.

While most Indonesian households serve it for breakfast, nasi goreng is also a popular choice for late night supper served by street vendors, in stalls and also by traveling night hawkers that frequent Indonesian residential neighborhoods with their wheeled carts. 

Nasi goreng is considered as Indonesian national dish, although it is also popular in Malaysia and Singapore. In the Netherlands, Indonesian cuisine is common due to the historical colonial ties with Indonesia. Indonesian migrants (or their offspring) cater Indonesian food both in restaurants and as a takeaway. This national dish is consumed by all layers of societies as its price varies widely from the cheapest one enjoyed in its simplest manifestation served in plastic plates at a roadside food stall to fancy restaurants and five-star hotels.

In 2011 CNN International held an online poll on  Indonesian nasi goreng followed by 35,000 people and the result showed that nasi goreng was chosen as the number two of their 'World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods' list after rendang. Even Barrack Obama, the current President of the United Stated of America, is quite accustomed to this meal because he used to eat it in his childhood while living in Indonesia. His Indonesian culinary does not stop there; bakso (meatballs), satay and rambutan (hairy fruit) are also among his favorites. 

The strong memory related to the taste of these two kinds of meals has made him still long for them and try to eat either of the two at any possible chances. During his visit to Indonesia, he seemed to take a chance to satisfy his longing appetite.

Wanting to try Nasi Goreng in some food stalls and restaurants around Jakarta?

Have a nice taste!

1. Avara Lounge, Epicentrum Walk, Lantai 2, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan
2. Nasi goreng Bhakti, Jalan Bhakti, Blok S, Kebayoran Baru
3. Nasi goreng Cirebon Jl. Paus Raya, Rawamangun
4. Nasi goreng Gila Taman Menteng, Jalan HOS. Cokroaminoto, Menteng.
5. Nasi goreng Gila Liem, Jalan Kebagusan Raya, Kecamatan Pasar Minggu
6. Nasi goring Ikan Asin Alila Jl. Pecenongan
7. Nasi goreng Ijo Tole, Jl. Panglima Polim X, Melawai
8. Nasi goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih, Jl. Kebon Sirih Barat, Menteng
9. RM Legoh Senopati, Pasar Santa, Lantai 1, Jl. Cipaku I, Senopati
10. Lokananta, / Jl. Panglima Polim 2 No. 2, Melawai
11. Nasi goreng Mafia, Jl. Tebet Raya No. 27 D, Tebet
12. Kedai Pelangi, Jl. H. Agus Salim No. 18B, Menteng