Indonesia is called “the belt of emeralds” due to number of islands containing various spices. Well Indonesian cuisine is influenced by Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Arab, British and Dutch cuisine. Vegetables are largely used in this cuisine; namely lettuce, green beans, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, onion, cucumber and carrots. Indonesian cuisine has number of staple foods. The main staple foods are rice and noodles; and others are sweet potato, taro, cassava, yam, maize and wheat. The rice is served along with vegetable, meat or fish curries. The commonly used meats are chicken, duck, beef, mutton and fish.
The main characteristics of this cuisine are wide application of peanuts and coconut milk. Peanut sauce known as ‘Bambu kacang’ is used in many dishes and dressings. Coconut milk is abundantly used in cooking rice, soups and curries. Coconut milk, sweet soya sauce and palm sugar are used as sweetening agents. For sourness lime juice, vinegar and tamarind is used. Indonesian cuisine is heaven of good and healthy food.