Ah, Indonesia! The land of stunning beaches, ancient temples, lush rice paddies, and vibrant street life. And the food! It’s a dazzling mix of flavours, colours, and aromas, with dishes that vary wonderfully from island to island. But if your travel crew includes a selective eater, you might be picturing a holiday filled with snack-aisle dinners, worrying about how on earth you’ll manage eating Indonesian food with a picky eater. I hear you! It can feel overwhelming. However, having travelled to Indonesia (and navigated various food landscapes!), I can tell you that this delicious cuisine offers more ‘safe’ and adaptable options than you might think. Let’s make sure everyone gets to enjoy the taste of Indonesia!
Indonesian Flavours: What’s in Store for Picky Eaters?
Indonesian food is heavily based on rice (Nasi), served with almost everything! Proteins like chicken (Ayam), fish (Ikan), and beef (Sapi) are common, prepared in numerous ways – grilled, fried, stewed. While spices and chilli (Sambal) are prominent in many dishes, and peanut sauce is a key feature of classics like Satay and Gado-Gado, there are often simpler, milder preparations available. The sheer variety across the islands (think Balinese vs. Javanese vs. Sumatran food) also means more options!
Navigating Indonesian Food with a Fussy Child: Top Tips
Eating in local warungs (small, often casual eateries) or restaurants is part of the Indonesian experience. Here’s how to help your picky eater join in:
The King of Sides: Nasi Putih (Plain Rice)
This is your absolute best friend! Plain steamed white rice (Nasi Putih) is served with almost every meal and is a completely safe, filling, and familiar base for your child. They can eat it on its own or pair it with any plain protein you find.
Nasi Goreng & Mie Goreng: Familiar Concepts, Ask for Plain!
Indonesia’s famous fried rice (Nasi Goreng) and fried noodles (Mie Goreng) are flavourful national dishes. But guess what? You can often order simpler versions! Ask for Nasi Goreng Ayam (chicken fried rice) or Mie Goreng Ayam (chicken fried noodles) and crucially, request ‘tidak pedas’ (not spicy) and ideally ‘tanpa sayur’ (without vegetables) or ‘sayur sedikit’ (few vegetables) if visible bits are an issue. This often results in a plate of rice or noodles stir-fried simply with egg and chicken, which can be quite appealing.
Ayam Goreng: Crispy, Fried Chicken Goodness
Fried chicken (Ayam Goreng) is hugely popular and widely available. It’s often simply seasoned, crispy, and delicious – a texture and taste combination that many picky eaters already love. It’s usually served with just rice, making it a straightforward meal.
Satay: Meat on a Stick! (Go Easy on the Sauce)
Satay (Sate) is grilled meat (chicken, beef, lamb, or even seafood) on skewers, often served with a delicious, rich peanut sauce. Meat on a stick is often fun and appealing! Order chicken or beef satay and ask for the peanut sauce on the side (‘saus kacang di samping’). Offer the plain grilled meat first. If they’re feeling brave, a tiny dip in the sauce might follow!
Simple Omelettes (Telur Dadar)
An omelette (Telur Dadar) is a universally understood and often available dish, especially at more casual eateries or for breakfast. It’s plain scrambled or fried egg, providing a simple protein option.
Mastering Spice Levels: ‘Tidak Pedas’ is Your Friend!
Indonesian food can pack a punch! The phrase ‘tidak pedas’ (pronounced tee-dak PEH-das) is essential – it means ‘not spicy’. Use it when ordering anything for your child. Be aware that spice tolerance varies, but this phrase will significantly reduce the heat. Sambal, the ubiquitous chilli paste, is almost always served on the side.
Look for Buffets (Nasi Campur Stalls)
Many local places offer Nasi Campur (mixed rice), where you get a scoop of rice and choose from a buffet of accompanying dishes. This is fantastic because you can see everything before ordering and pick out simple items like plain chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, or just plain rice and maybe some eggs.
Finding Comfort & Familiarity
Having access to backup foods is always a good plan.
Mini Markets & Supermarkets
Indonesia has countless mini-markets (like Indomaret or Alfamart) and larger supermarkets. They are stocked with familiar snacks, biscuits (biskuit), crisps (keripik), chocolates, yogurts (yogurt), milk (susu), and drinks. You can also find bread and spreads for simple self-made meals.
The Appeal of Indonesian Fruit
Indonesia is heaven for fruit lovers! Bananas, watermelon, papaya, mangoes, salak (snake fruit), rambutan – the list goes on! Fresh fruit is widely available, delicious, healthy, and a perfect safe snack or dessert that’s naturally appealing due to its sweetness and colour.
Gentle Tastings: Exploring New Flavours Slowly
Encourage tiny, no-pressure explorations of Indonesian tastes. Let them try a single grain of rice, a small piece of plain Ayam Goreng, or a tiny dip of Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce) which is mild and sweet. Trying different colourful fruits is also a great way to introduce new natural flavours.
Conclusion
Travelling and eating Indonesian food with a picky eater might seem challenging at first, but with a bit of planning and these practical tips, it’s entirely manageable and can even be a positive experience. Focus on the accessible staples like plain rice, fried chicken, simple fried rice/noodles, and grilled meats. Leverage buffets where you can see the food, master the phrase ‘tidak pedas’, and remember the abundance of familiar snacks and delicious fresh fruit. Keep mealtimes relaxed, celebrate the small wins, and embrace the incredible culture and experiences Indonesia has to offer. Enjoy your delicious adventure!
For more guidance on managing selective eating during your family travels, explore our posts on Picky Eating Solutions for Family Holidays and Fussy Eating Tips: Simple Strategies for Calmer Mealtimes.