Nasi pecel
Nasi pecel is a Javanese rice dish that brings together a colorful array of lightly blanched vegetables served over steamed rice and generously topped with a rich, aromatic peanut sauce, originating from Central and East Java, particularly in cities like Madiun, Kediri, and Blitar.
At the heart of the dish is the pecel sauce, a slightly coarse, deep brown peanut dressing made from roasted peanuts, chili peppers, garlic, tamarind, coconut sugar, and makrut lime leaves, pounded or blended into a thick, fragrant paste. The result is a sauce that is bold yet balanced, with a satisfying heat and a subtle citrusy lift that complements the freshness of the vegetables.
The vegetable selection in nasi pecel typically includes water spinach (kangkung), long beans, bean sprouts, cassava leaves, and cabbage, all lightly blanched to retain their crunch and vibrant color. Read more
These are laid over a warm bed of white rice, then drenched in the warm pecel sauce. The dish is often served with rempeyek (crispy peanut crackers), tempeh, fried tofu, or a fried egg, adding contrasting textures and extra protein. Nasi pecel is widely enjoyed for breakfast or lunch, especially in roadside warungs and traditional markets, where it is often wrapped in banana leaves, infusing the meal with a subtle aroma and offering an eco-friendly form of takeaway.
While similar in spirit to dishes like gado-gado, nasi pecel is less elaborate and more rustic, with a spicier, thinner sauce and a stronger regional identity rooted in Javanese culinary tradition.
Serve with
Rempeyek
Rempeyek, also known simply as peyek, is a traditional Indonesian deep-fried cracker made from a spiced rice flour batter and typically studded ... Read more
Tempe
Tempe is a versatile vegan product, known to pack as many proteins as meat. This fermented soybean cake has origins from the Indonesian island of Java. Originally a by-... Read more
WHERE TO EAT The best Nasi pecel in the world (according to food experts)
"For someone whose palate favours spicy and salty flavours, this Nasi Pecel was definitely right up my alley. SGPC Ibu Wiryo is a must-visit joint if you fancy a healthy Javanese meal."
"We guarantee, if you try this Nasi Pecel only once, you'll always want to come back for more."
"As a vegetable lover, I was nicely surprised to find some 'kenikir' leaves in their Pecel. The aroma of the authentic 'kenikir' scent fits perfectly with the savory peanut sauce. Truly delicious!"
"It's easy to find this traditional Nasi Pecel food-stall, right at the Pasar Besi market. They serve their signature dish wrapped in a banana leaf, alias 'pincuk', so it gets even more delicious. Tempeh, tofu, or fried beef nicely complete this meal."
"For us this is one TOP Pecel. They have a rather minimalist approach to the vegetables part: a simple comination of bean sprouts and basil, with some lamtoro seeds as a complement".
"The fresh and crisp vegetables represent Widasi’s excellent know-how in selecting ingredients."
"It was a lovely nasi pecel served above a banana leaf, fully covered by the peanut sauce."
"Unlike the usual Nasi Pecel, the one you get at Mrs Kus is additionally splashed with Lodeh-style vegetable soup. The authentic flavors and scent are already well known among Indonesian foodies."
"We also had Petjel Pintjoek, a mix of steamed vegetables with peanut sauce and rice in a banana leaf. Even the sound of it is mouth-watering. And yes, they were great!"
