I also spent about three weeks on the island of Java as part of my program, where I tried different Indonesian meals at restaurants.
I really like having different foods all on one plate because I get to try different flavors at the same time. Some of the food was spicy because of the sambal. I also noticed that peanuts are used a lot here, especially with satay. Chicken satay is often served with a seasoned peanut sauce that can taste both sweet and spicy at the same time. At first, some of the combinations were new to me, especially the peanut sauce with different spices, but I really enjoy trying new foods.
The rice is cooked first and then served with different side dishes. Chicken satay is cooked on small skewers and is sometimes served with peanut sauce. Sambal is a spicy sauce made with chili peppers and other spices. The meal can also include vegetables, tempeh, eggs, noodles, or chicken.
Rice is very connected to the local environment because it is grown all around Indonesia. While I have been here, I have seen many rice fields and rice terraces. Seeing the rice fields helped me understand why rice is such a big part of everyday meals. It is not just something people eat often, but also something that is grown locally.
