Rijsttafel

Rijsttafel

Rijsttafel (RICE-tah-fel)

Indonesian-Dutch Rice Table

Prep Time 3 hours
📈 Difficulty Hard
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 642 kcal

A grand feast of steamed rice surrounded by a dozen or more small dishes of Indonesian-Dutch origin — satay, rendang, sambal, vegetables, and more.

Nutrition & Info

650 kcal per serving
Protein 30.0g
Carbs 72.0g
Fat 26.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free dairy-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ soy ⚠ peanuts ⚠ shellfish

Equipment Needed

multiple small serving bowls rice cooker wok grill

Presentation Guide

Vessel: central rice bowl with many small serving bowls

Garnishes: fried shallots, fresh herbs

Accompaniments: prawn crackers, sambal varieties

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook jasmine rice and keep warm.

  2. 2

    Prepare satay: marinate chicken in ketjap and spices, grill on skewers, serve with peanut sauce.

  3. 3

    Prepare rendang: slow-cook beef in coconut milk and spices until dry and richly flavored.

  4. 4

    Prepare gado-gado: blanch vegetables, serve with peanut dressing.

  5. 5

    Prepare sambal goreng, serundeng, atjar, and arrange all condiments.

  6. 6

    Serve rice in the center with all dishes arranged around it in small bowls. Guests help themselves to everything.

💡

Did You Know?

A full rijsttafel can include up to 40 different small dishes, making it one of the most elaborate dinner experiences in the world.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • multiple small serving bowls
  • rice cooker
  • wok
  • grill

Garnishing

fried shallots, fresh herbs

Accompaniments

prawn crackers, sambal varieties

The Story Behind Rijsttafel

The rijsttafel was created by Dutch colonials in Indonesia who wanted to showcase the diversity of Indonesian cuisine in a single grand meal. After Indonesian independence, repatriated Dutch-Indonesians brought the tradition home, and it became a celebrated dining format in the Netherlands.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed special occasion dinner 📜 Origins: Dutch colonial era, 19th century

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