Nasi Goreng Kampung – Indonesian Fried Rice

Nasi goreng kampung or Indonesian fried rice is popular street staple food that can be easily found on the streets, cafes, and restaurants in Indonesia. It is a simple fried rice recipe complete with protein and vegetables.

Served with fried shallots, crackers, pickles, and a sunny-side-up egg, this nasi goreng truly captures the authentic taste of Indonesian cuisine.

It’s a comfort food staple for many Indonesians. After a long day at work or school, when there’s nothing to eat at home, you can easily find Nasi Goreng Kampung from street vendors, recognizable by the distinct sound of their food carts.

It is also known as Nasi Goreng Tek Tek due to the distinctive sound the vendor makes by tapping the iron wok with a spatula.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Meatballs and chicken cubes – The protein to use is very versatile. You can use chicken thigh cubes, beef meatballs or crabsticks, fish balls, beef slices.

Vegetables – The versatility doesn’t stop in protein, you can use any veggies you have in the fridge. However, if you want to make it as authentic as possible, use cabbage or mustard greens.

Garlic, shallots – These two will make the fried rice fragrant, especially shallots.

Chilis – This is optional. If you like it spicy, add this.

Sweet Soy Sauce – This is an important ingredient that you must have. Indonesian sweet soy sauce is very unique. It is dark and sweet, Kecap Bango brand is the popular one. It blends well with other Indonesian food.

Toppings

Fried Shallots – This adds fragrant to the fried rice. One to two teaspoons are enough to add in the end. Trust me, this one makes difference to the fried rice!

Pickles – Another important thing that can’t be missed. The vegetables in the pickles are cucumber, carrot, shallots, and green chilis.

Crackers – There are many kinds of crackers that you can use for fried rice, the most commonly used is shrimp crackers.

Substitutions & Variations

If you don’t have sweet soy sauce, don’t worry. Mix dark soy sauce with palm sugar. Taste it and adjust as needed. The flavor should be well-balanced between sweet and savory.

How to Make

1. Cut the chicken into dice. Add ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp mushroom powder and stir evenly. Set aside. (image 1, 2)
2. Chop garlic and shallots finely. Slice some chilis if you like. (image 3, 4)
3. Slice the meatballs, cabbage. Set aside. (image 5)
4. Make one sunny side up. Set aside. (image 6)

1. Heat some oil in a wok. Saute the garlic, shallots, and chilis until fragrant. (image 7, 8)
2. Put in the chicken and meatballs. Stir fry until the chicken changes color. (image 9)
3. Add 1 egg into the wok. Let it cook for a while and gently push the egg to make room for the rice (image 10, 11).

1. Pour in the seasoning on the rice (image 12). Press and stir-fry the rice with spatula so the seasoning is absorbed evenly (image 13).
2. Keep stirring, add cabbage and leeks (image 14). Stir-fry until the rice is even in color and the cabbage is well-cooked (image 15).

1. Serve on a plate, garnish with fried shallots, crackers, pickles, and fried chicken if you have any (image 16, 17, 18). Enjoy your nasi goreng kampung!

Storage and Reheating

Fried rice is always best consumed after it is cooked. When it has cooled down, the sensation will be different, even though it is still delicious.

If you have to keep the leftover, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat by stirring it in the work for five minutes.

Other Indonesian food worth to try:

• Chicken Rendang
• Beef Chow Mei Fun / Kwetiau Goreng Sapi
• Bihun Goreng – Fried Vermicelli
• Soto Tangkar
• Soto Betawi
• Sop Buntut Sapi / Indonesian Oxtail Soup
• Mie Goreng