by Norah faith

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 06, 2009

An introduction to the Indonesian rice table (Rijsttafel)

Rijsttafel, a Dutch word meaning "rice table", is one of Indonesia's most unique meals. This meal doesn't have a name in the Indonesian language. It was just how they served the food to guest, a simple Indonesian custom. So when the Dutch occupied Indonesia and were served in this manner, they named it Rijsttafel.

The fact that it does not have a name in the Indonesian language isn't surprising because it is not a standard meal that is cooked with the same ingredients every time. Rijsttafel is a variety of dishes. The way that it is served is what makes it so unique. Each person is given a plate with a mound of rice on it.

Then the waiters bring a large variety of dishes that they have in the restaurant and set it on the table in front of you. This can vary from 6 to 20 dishes. Generally these dishes are prepared and kept ready at the restaurant through out the day. The restaurants that serve like this in Indonesia nowadays are called "Padang" restaurants.

Once you have all the dishes in front of you, you begin taking food from whatever catches your eye. Take a little and added it to your plate of rice. Rice is a major part of Indonesian dinning. There are no meals eaten without rice. Once you've tried one dish, move on to something else.

If you find one dish that you think is better then the rest, you can ask the waiters to bring you more. At the end of the meal the waiters will look at what dishes have been eaten and what hasn't. You will be billed accordingly. A Rijsttafel meal in Indonesia will typically run you about 4 dollars. Yes, 4 dollars.

Some of the dishes served at the "rice table" are Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Rendang (a dry spicy beef dish), Opor Ayam (a wet curried chicken dish), Perkedel (potatoes patties), Krupuk (fried rice flour patties), Sambal (Indonesian hot sauce), Ayam Goreng (Indonesian fried chicken), Ati Ampla (chicken gizzards, heart and liver), Sayur Nangka (jack fruit soup), Ikan Bakra (grilled fish).

There are so many dishes that can be served that you will simply just have to go to a restaurant serving Rijsttafel style and see for yourself.

Although Rijsttafel is and Indonesian dish, the Dutch named it and loved it so much that they brought it home with them. You can find restaurants serving Rijsttafel all over the Netherlands. You can even find it in California where tens of thousands former Dutch colonials settled.

So be certain to check out this meal if ever in the Netherlands or Indonesia. It will be something different and something wonderful to experience.

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