Few dishes capture the heart of Indonesian cuisine quite like nasi goreng, the country’s beloved take on fried rice. Rich with bold flavors, slightly smoky, and always satisfying, this national staple is far more than just rice and sauce—it’s a celebration of Indonesia’s culinary diversity. From street stalls to high-end restaurants, nasi goreng is a dish you’ll find everywhere, each version offering a slightly different twist depending on region, family tradition, or the chef’s creativity.
What sets nasi goreng apart from other fried rice dishes around the world is its signature seasoning: a blend of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), garlic, shallots, chili, and often shrimp paste, giving it a deep umami punch. Topped with a fried egg, crispy shallots, or slices of cucumber and tomato, it’s a meal that balances savory, sweet, and spicy in every bite. It’s simple enough to make at home with leftover rice, yet flavorful enough to crave on a regular basis.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to recreate an authentic nasi goreng using ingredients you can find at most international grocery stores. Whether you’re new to Indonesian cuisine or looking to spice up your weekly meal rotation, this recipe will transport your kitchen straight to the streets of Jakarta, Bali, or Yogyakarta—with just one pan.
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Best Time to Eat & What to Serve with Nasi Goreng
Nasi goreng is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—in fact, it’s often eaten for breakfast in Indonesia, using leftover rice from the night before. It’s a perfect one-pan meal when you need something quick, filling, and flavorful.
Pair it with a fried egg on top, a few slices of cucumber and tomato, or a side of krupuk (Indonesian prawn crackers) for crunch. You can also serve it with sambal (Indonesian chili paste) if you like extra heat. For drinks, try a cold iced tea, coconut water, or a light lager to balance the spices.
Whether you’re hosting friends, cooking solo, or craving comfort food with a kick, nasi goreng is a reliable go-to that delivers bold flavor with humble ingredients.
How to Make Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng Recipe Ingredients
2 cups of cooked jasmine rice
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
2 garlic cloves
1 small onion
2 eggs
200 grams of chicken breast
100 grams of shrimp
1 carrot, diced
1 small bell pepper
2 green onions
2 tablespoons of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon of sambal oelek or more to taste (Indonesian chili paste)
Salt and pepper
Fried shallots
Cucumber slices and tomato wedges
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Step By Step How to Make Nasi Goreng
Step 1 – Prepare Ingredients
Ensure your rice is cold and clumpy. Cold rice fries are better and won’t turn mushy. If using chicken and shrimp, make sure they are cleaned, properly prepared, and set aside.
Step 2 – Fry the Eggs
Heat a little oil in the wok over medium-high heat. Beat the eggs and pour them into the wok. Scramble until fully cooked, then remove and set aside.
Step 3 – Sauté Ingredients
In the same wok, add a bit more oil if needed. Add the chicken and shrimp (if using) and stir-fry until they are nearly cooked through. Add the garlic and onions, frying until aromatic and the onions begin to soften.
Step 4 – Add Vegetables
Add the diced carrots and bell peppers, stir-frying until just tender.
Step 5 – Add Rice and Sauces
Add the cold rice to the wok along with the scrambled eggs, breaking up any clumps. Pour in kecap manis, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sambal oelek. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the sauces and with salt and pepper.
Step 6 – Final Touches
Add the sliced green onions, stir to mix throughout the rice. Serve the Nasi Goreng garnished with fried shallots, cucumber slices, and tomato wedges.
Tips To Make Nasi Goreng
Kecap Manis is a key ingredient that gives Nasi Goreng its unique flavor and slight sweetness. It’s thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce. The amount of sambal oelek can be adjusted according to how spicy you like your food.
Nasi Goreng can be customized in many ways. You can use different proteins like beef, tofu, or just keep it vegetarian.
How Many Calories Has A Nasi Goreng
Cooked Jasmine Rice (2 cups) is approximately 416 calories. Vegetable Oil is about 240 calories (120 calories per tablespoon). Chicken Breast is around 330 calories and Shrimp (100 grams) is about 85 calories.
Eggs (2 medium) is around 144 calories, Carrot 25 calories, Bell Pepper 20 calories, Onion 30 calories and Garlic is around 10 calories.
Kecap Manis (2 tablespoons) is around 80 calories, Soy Sauce is about 10 calories, Oyster Sauce is 10 calories and Sambal Oelek is round 5 calories.
Nasi Goreng has around 1405 calories, if you divide into four servings, each serving would contain roughly 351 calories.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.