Indonesian Satays: A Must-Try When Traveling to Indonesia

Satay Ayam (Chicken Satay)

Satay ayam, or chicken satay, is one of Indonesia's most famous culinary exports. You'll find it everywhere—from street food stalls to high-end restaurants—not only in Indonesia but across the world. This version of satay is often what people picture when they think of "satay" thanks to its widespread popularity.

While I was in Indonesia, I had satay ayam multiple times, and it never disappointed. It's often served fresh off the grill at local warungs (small food stalls), with chicken marinated in spices like turmeric, coriander, and garlic, giving it a fragrant, smoky flavour. It’s also a common side dish, often included with plates of nasi goreng or mee goreng, making it a perfect addition to any meal.

Unlike abroad, the peanut sauce is typically served on the side so you can dip as much as you like. Locals pair it with lontong (rice cakes), kecap manis, and sambal for extra heat. It's definitely a great one to start off on when trying local food, especially if you want to begin with something you're familiar with.

Satay Babi (Pork Satay)

One of my absolute favourites, and easily found on the side of the street in various neighbourhoods of Bali, is satay babi. A sweet soy-glazed pork skewer that I couldn't get enough of. The pork is usually marinated in a combination of garlic, kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce), salt, and pepper. The pieces of meat are then placed on skewers and grilled until done, and the result is a skewer of juicy and slightly charred meat, making it easily one of the best satays I’ve ever had. The stalls I came across were all so good that I often came back the next day for round two!

Note: Although the majority of Hindus worldwide do not consume pork, many Hindus in Indonesia, particularly in Bali, include pork in their diet. This is why you can find lots of satay babi in Balinese cuisine. Cultural and regional practices often shape dietary customs, making Indonesia's Hindu community unique in this regard.

Satay Padang (West Sumatra Beef Satay)

Next up is satay padang, a popular dish from West Sumatra that's rich in flavour and texture. Made with tender beef slices, it's grilled to perfection and served with a thick, curry-like sauce that's unlike the typical peanut sauce you’ll find with most satays. The sauce is typically made from a blend of turmeric, cumin, and various Indonesian spices, giving it a rich, savoury taste with a hint of warmth. Topped with crispy shallots, it adds a satisfying crunch to each bite, while the sticky rice on the side helps balance the bold flavours.

What makes satay padang even more unique is that many places serve beef tongue as part of the dish. I tried both the beef and beef tongue skewers, and both were tender and flavourful.

I loved this satay so much that I had a top-up of more skewers just to mop up all the delicious sauce and rice I was given. It was one of those comforting meals you could keep eating, especially with the rich curry sauce that’s hard to resist. Sharing this experience with my Grab driver on a rainy day made it even more memorable!

Satay Lilit (Balinese Satay)

From Bali, satay lilit is a unique take on satay where the meat is wrapped around the skewer instead of pierced through... kind of like a kofta, if you may. This method gives it a distinct texture and presentation, allowing the fresh, fragrant spices like lemongrass, turmeric, and kaffir lime to really mix in with the meat and shine without any sauce.

During my time in Bali, I enjoyed both chicken and fish versions of satay lilit, and I loved them both. The chicken was tender, while the fish had a light, delicate flavor that complemented the spices beautifully.

Satay lilit is definitely one of the most memorable Balinese dishes I tried, and I can’t wait to recreate it at home. Regardless, this is one of the things you should definitely seek out at warungs on your visit to Bali and also cook at local cookery classes!

Satay Madura (Lamb Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce)

Last but certainly not least, satay madura hails from the island of Madura and is renowned for its spicy peanut sauce. I tried both chicken and mutton (satay kambing means mutton satay) with this deliciously nutty sauce, and the flavors were absolutely out of this world. Watching the vendor expertly mix the sauce and wrap it around the freshly grilled meat made the experience even more enjoyable.

I later learned that satay gambing is usually served with a simple sweet soy sauce, so I guess that means I got to enjoy both satay madura and satay kambing in one?! I'm actually not sure on that but I can confirm that the tender mutton and spicy peanut sauce paired perfectly, creating a dish that was hard to resist. Each bite was packed with flavour, making this satay another standout in my culinary journey through Indonesia.

Satays I Didn't Get to Try (But You Should Look Out For!)

Unfortunately, I couldn’t try all the satay varieties on my trip (I mean there are over 250 types so that's crazy!), but here are some other popular ones you should definitely look out for:

• Satay Kambing (Goat Satay)
  Another Javanese favourite, satay kambing is made from goat meat and is served with a spicy soy sauce (kecap manis) rather than peanut sauce. The meat is usually grilled quickly to keep it tender, making it a must-try for lamb or mutton lovers.
• Satay Maranggi
  Originating from West Java, satay maranggi is made from beef or lamb and is served with a unique mix of vinegar and sambal (spicy chili paste) instead of the usual peanut sauce. The flavours are tangy, spicy, and bold!‍
• Satay Kelinci (Rabbit Satay)
  Commonly found in Central Java, this satay uses rabbit meat, which is tender and a bit sweeter than chicken. It's often grilled with a soy sauce marinade and served with a spicy peanut sauce.

Honestly, Indonesia is a satay lover’s paradise. Whether you're a fan of pork, beef, lamb, fish, or even rabbit, there’s a satay for everyone. Let me know which satay you’d like to try first—and stay tuned for some of my favourite recipes!

‍