Pempek, Empal Gentong, and Serabi: Good Fortune Behind the Name
These three Indonesian dishes have names born from unexpected stories, from nicknames for elders to the shape of a clay pot.
KulinerBDG Magazine
Stories
The history, science, and quirky tales behind the food we eat every day — an easy read over coffee.
sejarah rempah
Nutmeg: The Tiny Spice from Banda That the World Once Fought Over
fakta kuliner
Strange Dining Rules Around the World That Will Make You Shake Your Head
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Fun Food Facts from Around the World That Will Make You Love Cooking Even More
Turns out that behind our everyday meals, there's a treasure trove of fun facts we rarely notice — from the world's most expensive spice to some downright quirky eating habits.
Cheese, Tofu, and Tempeh: Three Fermentations That Changed the World
Cheese from the Middle East, tofu from China, and tempeh from Java—these three fermented foods share a surprisingly similar origin story: each was discovered by accident, yet each went on to change the culinary world.
The Origins of Gudeg: Sweet Traces of Yogyakarta's Legendary Cuisine
Gudeg (young jackfruit stew) isn't just young jackfruit simmered in coconut milk — it's a flavorful legacy that carries the long history of the Mataram Sultanate and has become an icon of Yogyakarta today.
Nasi Goreng, Rendang, and Gado-Gado: A Cross-Cultural Story Behind the Flavor
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice), rendang, and Gado-Gado (Indonesian vegetable salad with peanut sauce) aren't just everyday dishes—they carry a long cultural journey that ends up sweetly on our tongues.
Soup, Ice Cream, and Kerupuk: Three Foods Born from Hardship
Soup, ice cream, and kerupuk (Indonesian crackers) turn out not to have been born from luxury, but from limitations and the clever improvisation of people long ago who still wanted to eat well.
From Kitchen to Civilization: Tracing the Footsteps of Nusantara Spices
Before becoming everyday kitchen seasonings, Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago) spices were a natural treasure born from unique geological conditions that shaped the course of world history.
Spices as a Diplomatic Tool: The Political Side of Indonesian Cuisine
Indonesian spices weren't just about flavor—they were also a diplomatic weapon that once reshaped the world's balance of power and relationships between kingdoms.
From the Priangan Gardens to Cups Around the World: Tracing the Path of Java Robusta Coffee
It's not just arabica—robusta coffee and Indonesia's local varieties have a long history that has shaped the palates of Indonesian coffee lovers to this day.
The Quirky Origins of Everyday Foods We Rarely Think About
It turns out kerupuk (crackers), kecap (sweet soy sauce), and even bakso (meatballs) have origin stories that are just as quirky and coincidence-filled as world-famous food legends.
