Fried rice (Nasi Goreng) is one of the most popular dishes in Indonesia. Its popularity is not without reason. The uniqueness and variety of fried rice represent Indonesia's culinary diversity. Each region has its own version of fried rice with distinctive ingredients and seasonings that reflect local flavors. Even so, this dish is still known as fried rice, not a different menu, showing uniformity in diversity.
Uniqueness and Variations of Fried Rice
Fried rice in different parts of Indonesia has different characteristics. For example, goat fried rice uses spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, and cardamom, as well as pieces of goat meat. There is also nasi goreng babat from Semarang that combines tripe with special spices, making it tender and delicious. Other variations include kampung fried rice from Yogyakarta with free-range chicken and sunny-side-up eggs, Surabaya fried rice with large portions and a red-brown color, and Sundanese fried rice that uses galangal as the main seasoning.
Some other unique variations include mawut fried rice which mixes noodles with rice, petai fried rice with a strong aroma and taste of petai, salted fish fried rice with crunchy side dishes, Malang's resek fried rice which contains chicken, cabbage, noodles, and bean sprouts, and Surabaya's black fried rice that uses squid ink to give it its distinctive color and flavor.
Charming simplicity apart from the variety, the simplicity of fried rice is also the main attraction. The ingredients used such as rice, oil, and eggs are easily available. This makes fried rice easy to make by anyone, from different backgrounds and cultures, according to their individual tastes. This simplicity allows anyone to create their own version of fried rice, adding to the richness of Indonesian cuisine.
History and Culture of Fried Rice
Fried rice is not just a food, but also a part of Indonesian history and culture. Originally, fried rice was created as a way to avoid wasting rice.Cold rice was re-fried with simple seasonings, making it a delicious and economical dish. Over time, fried rice evolved with additional ingredients and seasonings, making it one of Indonesia's favorite dishes.
Culinary Tourism Attraction
In the context of tourism, fried rice is one of the attractions of Indonesia's increasing culinary tourism. In 2017, CNN International named rendang and fried rice as the best food in the world, providing great capital for the promotion of Indonesian tourism.Culinary tourism is now one of the main attractions that attract tourists from abroad.Fried rice, with its sharp spices and strong flavors, is one of the most sought-after dishes by tourists.
Popular in Various Eateries
Fried rice is easy to find in Indonesia, from street carts to fancy restaurants. The uniqueness of Indonesian fried rice lies in the seasonings used, such as sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, pepper, and other spices. The dish is often served with a variety of toppings such as fried eggs, krupuk, and fried onions, adding complexity to the appetizing taste.
Variety of Fried Rice
In Indonesia, there are various popular types of fried rice, including:
1. Goat Fried Rice: Use spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, and cardamom, with chunks of goat meat.
2. Nasi Goreng Babat: Typical of Semarang with tender tripe and special seasonings.
3. Nasi Goreng Kampung: From Yogyakarta, reddish in color with free-range chicken and sunny-side-up egg.
4. Surabaya Fried Rice: Large portion with red-brown color, omelet, and chicken.
5. Sundanese Fried Rice: Uses galangal as the main seasoning.
6. Mawut/ Magelangan Fried Rice: A mixture of noodles and fried rice, typical of East and Central Java.
7. Petai Fried Rice: Using petai which gives it a strong aroma and flavor.
8. Salted Fish Fried Rice: With a side dish of crispy salted fish.
9. Nasi Goreng Resek: From Malang, it contains chicken, cabbage, noodles and bean sprouts.
10. Black Fried Rice: From Surabaya, using squid ink and egg.
The variety and uniqueness of flavors make fried rice always interesting to enjoy. Every bite of fried rice brings a different flavor sensation, depending on the region of origin. In addition, its long history and ease of cooking make fried rice a part of everyday life for Indonesians. No wonder fried rice has always been a favorite choice, not only in Indonesia but also in the eyes of the world.
