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.
asal usul makanan
Coffee, Chocolate, and Vanilla: The Quirky Story of Three World Flavors
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From Croissants to Bakso: Traces of War and Trade on Our Plates
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Curry, Tacos, and Dim Sum: Wild Stories from Our Ancestors' Kitchens
Curry, tacos, and dim sum turn out to have origin stories far from what we'd imagine, and they're quietly connected to Indonesian 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.
Popcorn, Bakpao, and Bubble Tea: Quirky Origin Stories
Three of the world's favorite snacks—popcorn, bakpao (Chinese steamed buns), and bubble tea—actually have origin stories just as exciting as their flavors. Let's dive into their tales!
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.
Bread, Chocolate, and Cheese: The Unexpected Story of Three World-Famous Snacks
Bread, chocolate, and cheese each have a long and surprising history before finally coming together as favorite snacks in Bandung's cafes.
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 Instant Noodles to Kopi Tubruk (Indonesian Boiled Coffee): World Culinary Trails That Lead Back to Bandung
Instant noodles, coffee, and chocolate each have a long cross-continental story before finally becoming Bandung locals' favorite comfort foods.
Why Are These Foods Named That? The Story Behind Some Quirky Food Names
It turns out many world-famous food names were born from misunderstandings, language puns, or funny historical coincidences you'd never expect.
The Magical Story of Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce): From Chinese Fermentation to the Nusantara Kitchen
Kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce), that ever-present bottle in our kitchens, actually had a long journey across continents before becoming the soul of Indonesian cooking.
