Indonesian island desserts you must try at least once!
What's the story
Indonesia, known for its colorful culture and diverse landscapes, also boasts a delicious variety of unique desserts.
Each island, from the busy streets of Jakarta to the peaceful beaches of Bali, offers sweet treats that reflect its culinary history.
This article explores the most delectable Indonesian island desserts that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.
Bali delights
Discovering sweet temptations in Bali
Bali is not just about beautiful sunsets but also about its delicious desserts.
One such treat is Dadar Gulung, a green pancake roll stuffed with sweet coconut and palm sugar.
The vibrant green color comes from pandan leaves, a common flavoring ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Costing around $1-$2 per piece, this dessert is not only affordable but also a perfect way to experience traditional Balinese flavors.
Java treats
Java's Javanese jajanan
Traveling westward to Java, the island offers another traditional dessert known as Klepon.
These vibrant green rice cake balls are filled with liquid palm sugar and covered in grated coconut.
The unexpected explosion of sweetness from the palm sugar upon biting into the Klepon makes it a popular treat for both locals and tourists.
Sold in bunches, you can savor these delicacies for just IDR 7,000-15,000 ($0.50-$1) for 10 pieces.
Sumatra sweets
Sumatra's sugary secrets
While Sumatra might be famous for its coffee plantations, there's another delicious secret hiding in its culinary world - Martabak Manis!
Nicknamed Indonesian sweet pancakes or thick pancakes filled with chocolate, cheese, or nuts, Martabak Manis is a dream come true for dessert lovers.
Prices fluctuate based on the filling, but you can expect to pay between $3 and $5 for a piece.
Sulawesi surprise
Sulawesi's savory snack twist
Most Indonesian desserts tend to be sweet, but Sulawesi has a special savory snack that stands out: the Pisang Epe.
It's a grilled banana that's been pressed flat, then served up with palm sugar syrup and maybe a little chocolate or cheese on top.
This street food treat offers a delicious departure from typical fruit-based desserts, and you can snag one for a mere $1-$2.
Lombok layers
Lombok's luscious layers
Lombok's Kue Lapis Legit is a flavorful layer cake made with butter or margarine, and sugar.
Spices like cinnamon add a distinctive taste.
Also called Spekkoek, this cake is a fusion of Indonesia's colonial history and native tradition.
A slice of this luxurious dessert ranges from $10 to $20.