Nasi Goreng
Fried Rice
Indonesia's national dish! 'Nasi' means 'rice' and 'goreng' means 'fried.' You'll find it everywhere from street carts to five-star hotels.
Learn to say "Nasi Goreng" (Fried Rice) in Indonesian. This iconic dish is the national food of Indonesia and one of the first words every visitor learns. Understanding food vocabulary in Bahasa Indonesia opens up the incredible world of Indonesian cuisine.
💬Example Sentences
Saya mau nasi goreng satu.
I want one fried rice.
Nasi goreng pedas, ya!
Spicy fried rice, please!
Nasi goreng di sini enak sekali!
The fried rice here is very delicious!
🏭Cultural Context
Nasi goreng is so central to Indonesian culture that it was declared the national dish. Every cook, from street vendors to hotel chefs, has their own version. It is commonly eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner — and yes, Indonesians often eat fried rice for breakfast! The dish typically includes kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), which gives it its distinctive dark color. When ordering, you can customize it: "nasi goreng pedas" for spicy, "nasi goreng ayam" with chicken, or "nasi goreng seafood" for the seafood version. Street-side nasi goreng, cooked on a portable cart called a "gerobak," is often considered the most flavorful.