When I first booked my summer backpacking trip to Japan, I had a rough plan — Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — the classics. I didn’t know I’d arrive in Kyoto right in the middle of Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s oldest and grandest festivals
Kakiage Tempura is a delightful Japanese dish featuring a medley of thinly sliced vegetables and sometimes seafood, bound together in a light, crispy tempura batter and fried into golden, lacy fritters. The term “kakiage” comes from the Japanese word kaki (to mix) and age (to fry)
Yasai Tempura, a vibrant and light Japanese dish, features an assortment of seasonal vegetables coated in a delicate, airy batter and fried to golden perfection. “Yasai” means vegetables in Japanese, and this tempura variation highlights the natural flavors and textures of ingredients like sweet potatoes,
Nasi Campur Bali is a vibrant and diverse Balinese dish that showcases the island’s rich culinary heritage in a single, colorful platter. Translating to “mixed rice,” this dish features steamed rice as the base, surrounded by an array of small portions of flavorful Balinese dishes like spicy grilled chicken
Nasi Liwet is a traditional Javanese dish from Solo (Surakarta), Central Java, known for its aromatic, savory rice cooked in coconut milk and spices, often prepared in a single pot for a communal meal. This comforting dish is infused with flavors of lemongrass
When I moved to Jakarta three months ago, I expected the usual dazzle of a foreign capital—traffic, humidity, smiles, a new skyline. What I didn’t expect was the emotional pull of a plate of rice.
Sop Buntut is a traditional Indonesian oxtail soup, renowned for its rich, hearty broth infused with aromatic spices and herbs. This comforting dish features tender oxtail pieces simmered with vegetables like carrots and potatoes, flavored with a blend of nutmeg
Pepes Ikan is a traditional Indonesian dish featuring fish (often mackerel, carp, or tilapia) marinated with a vibrant blend of spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and then steamed or grilled. This cooking method infuses the fish with aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in a tende
Lawar is a quintessential Balinese dish, deeply rooted in the island’s cultural and ceremonial traditions. Often prepared for festive occasions, this vibrant dish combines finely chopped meat, vegetables, and grated coconut with a rich blend of spices, creating a harmonious balance of flavors
I am Aisyah, a 26-year-old Muslim woman living in a small village near Ubud, Bali. Many people know Bali as a tourist island with beaches and temples. But for me, Bali is home. I was born here, in a family that loves food, prayer, and tradition.