If you’re at an Indonesian restaurant, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to pronounce nasi goreng correctly when you order it? Indonesian food words are an important topic to learn early on in your language studies, not only because they’re useful in conversation, but also because Indonesian food is delicious! (Dishes from Indonesia ranked first and second in a 2007 CNN poll of the world’s best foods.)
Once you learn the food and drink vocabulary below, you’ll be prepared to impress the waitstaff by ordering at a restaurant at home, to discuss food on your eventual travels to Indonesia, or even to host your own Indonesian dinner party.
Study the vocabulary below, and you’ll be well on your way to having basic conversations about food in Indonesian. Press the play button to hear how each word or phrase is pronounced. Selamat makan! (“Enjoy your meal!”)
Meal-Related Words And Phrases
to eat — memakan
to drink — meminum
restaurant — rumah makan
food stall — warung
menu — kartu menu
breakfast — sarapan
dinner — makan malam
starter — makanan pembuka
main course — makanan utama
dessert — pencuci mulut
waiter — pelayan restoran
vegetarian — vegetaris
Enjoy your meal! — Selamat makan!
Can I have the check, please? — Saya bisa minta bon?
Indonesian Food Words
rice — nasi
pasta — pasta
bread — roti
cheese — keju
beef — daging sapi
pork — daging babi
poultry — unggas
steak — steak
seafood — hidangan laut
fruit — buah-buahan
vegetables — sayur-sayuran
potato — kentang
Indonesian Drink Words
drink — minuman
mineral water — air mineral
tap water — air kran
juice — jus
coffee — kopi
tea — teh
beer — bir
wine — anggur