6 Indonesian Restaurants in Melbourne

Just how good is the food being served in Melbourne's Indonesian restaurants? Why not find out for yourself by trying out some of the most popular Indonesian dishes. Rendang, a spicy meat dish, delivers a delicious kick, while the fried rice dish nasi goreng transforms shallots, garlic, ground shrimp paste, tamarind and chilli into a satisfying treat, and the internationally popular satay (skewers of meat often served with a peanut dipping sauce) is just perfect as a starter. These are just some of the dishes that are behind the growing popularity of Indonesian restaurants across Melbourne. It's a hugely varied cuisine, using meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and noodles, so no matter your taste preferences you're sure to find your perfect dish on the menus of Melbourne's Indonesian restaurants.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the dishes to be found in Melbourne's Indonesian restaurants is the regional variety in the recipes. Dishes from Sumatra, for example, incorporate many influences from India and the Middle East, while Javanese recipes tend to be more local in origin, with a few Chinese characteristics. Food from the eastern part of the country tends to share similarities with Melanesian and Polynesian cuisine. All of these regional variations reflect Indonesia's long history as a trading nation, with merchants arriving in the islands from as far afield as Europe and Africa in order to trade for the famous local spices from the spice islands. These spices, sometimes referred to as bumbu spices, are still used to flavour the food you find today in Melbourne's Indonesian restaurants. These dishes are often hot, spicy or savoury – or a delicious combination of all three!