Rendang and Minangkabau Cuisine Guide
Minangkabau cuisine is one of Indonesia's most internationally recognized, thanks largely to one dish: rendang.
What Is Rendang?
Rendang is a slow-cooked beef dish, simmered for hours in coconut milk and a blend of spices — lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, chili — until the liquid reduces into a thick, dark, intensely flavored coating around the meat.
World's Most Delicious Food
CNN Travel's reader poll has ranked rendang #1 on its "World's 50 Best Foods" list — a ranking frequently cited in Indonesian food media and a genuine point of national pride.
Padang-Style Dining
Nasi Padang restaurants have a distinctive serving style: dozens of small dishes are brought to your table at once, and you pay only for what you actually eat. It's how Minangkabau food is traditionally served, both in Padang and in Nasi Padang restaurants worldwide.
What Else to Try
Soto Padang (a spiced beef broth soup) and a wide variety of vegetable and sambal side dishes round out a typical spread alongside rendang.
Frequently Asked Questions
A slow-cooked beef dish simmered for hours in coconut milk and spices until the sauce reduces to a thick, dark, deeply flavored coating.
CNN Travel's reader poll has ranked rendang #1 on its "World's 50 Best Foods" list, a ranking widely cited in Indonesian food media.
Nasi Padang restaurants display dozens of small dishes at once, and you pay only for what you eat — a serving style found in Padang restaurants worldwide.
Soto Padang (spiced beef broth soup) and a range of vegetable and sambal side dishes are common alongside rendang in a typical spread.
Yes — the Padang City Tour includes a local cuisine stop where trying rendang alongside other dishes is part of the day.
Explore more of the region's traditions in our Minangkabau culture guide, or see the full range of tour packages.
Further reading: rendang (Wikipedia).