From Croissants to Bakso: Traces of War and Trade on Our Plates
From the Ottoman army's siege to the carts of wandering Chinese traders, it turns out many of our favorite foods were born from unexpected historical events.
KulinerBDG Magazine
Stories
The history, science, and quirky tales behind the food we eat every day — an easy read over coffee.
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The Origins of Gudeg: Sweet Traces of Yogyakarta's Legendary Cuisine
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Nasi Goreng, Rendang, and Gado-Gado: A Cross-Cultural Story Behind the Flavor
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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.
Kue Lapis, Klepon, and Onde-onde: Traces of Cultural Fusion in Indonesian Sweet Kue
Behind every sweet bite of kue lapis, klepon, and onde-onde lies a long and surprising story of cultural blending.
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.
The History of Chocolate: From the Maya's Bitter Drink to the Chocolate Bar
Before it became everyone's favorite sweet treat, chocolate was once a bitter drink for the Maya and Aztec peoples — and was even used as currency.
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.
The Ritual of Nusantara Coffee Drinking: From Silver Trays to Warung Glass Cups
It's not about who grew coffee first, but about how a cup of coffee changed its role: from a symbol of aristocratic status to a companion for everyday folks chatting away.
Nusantara Kitchen: How Spices Shaped Our Palate
More than just trade history, spices have quietly shaped how we cook, taste, and pass down recipes from generation to generation.
The Philosophy Behind the Name: Why Are City Snacks Called That?
It turns out the names of snacks hold long stories of language, history, and local culture—let's explore why these iconic city treats are named the way they are.
From Trade Ships to the Dinner Table: The Origins of World Cuisine
Tracing the footsteps of world foods born from long voyages on trade ships, and how those stories eventually landed in kitchens across the Indonesian archipelago.
