Rijsttafel(translation: “rice table”), pronounced RICE-taffle, is a delightful assortment of dishes from various Indonesian islands, making it an excellent introduction to “indisch” (colonial Indonesian) cuisine. When you enjoy rijsttafel at a restaurant, you will find the table laden with an array of diverse dishes. However, it is important to note that rijsttafel, despite its Indonesian origins, is not authentically Indonesian. Instead, it is a culinary tradition that stems from the period of Dutch colonization in Indonesia (1602-1942). During that era, the Dutch East India Company traded in the abundant natural resources of the Spice Islands, leading to the invention of rijsttafel—modeled after the Indonesian feastnasi padang. This banquet style allowed Dutch colonials to sample a variety of dishes from Java, Bali, Sumatra, and numerous other islands. Lavish banquets could have showcased upwards of a hundred different dishes. Consequently, this culinary experience was introduced to the Netherlands by colonials and Indonesian expatriates, where it has remained a popular fixture in Indonesian restaurants.
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