Indonesian street food continues to gain global recognition. Recently, batagor—a beloved snack from Bandung, West Java—secured the third spot in the TasteAtlas list of the world’s best seafood dishes, surpassing the famous Japanese nigiri sushi, which landed at number five.
The updated ranking, released on Sunday, September 21, showcases seafood delicacies from different parts of the world. At the top of the list is Finland’s loimulohi, a smoked salmon dish prepared over a wooden board, followed by Japan’s kaisedon, a sashimi rice bowl that claimed second place.
Batagor: Indonesia’s Pride in Global Seafood Rankings
According to TasteAtlas, batagor is “one of Indonesia’s most popular snacks—deep-fried fish dumplings served with traditional spicy peanut sauce.”
The dish, whose name stands for bakso tahu goreng (fried tofu with fish meatballs), originated in Bandung. It reflects the strong Chinese culinary influence in Indonesia. Unlike dim sum, which is typically steamed, batagor is always deep-fried, giving it a crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the savory-sweet peanut sauce.
Batagor usually comes in two forms. The first is siomay or dumplings that resemble dim sum but are fried instead of steamed. The second is fried tofu filled with fish paste, commonly made with mackerel. Once fried, these components are generously topped with spicy peanut sauce, creating a flavor that balances crunchy, savory, and slightly sweet notes.
This combination has made batagor a favorite Indonesian street food, enjoyed both as a quick snack and a filling meal. In Bandung, it is sold everywhere, from roadside stalls to restaurants, often accompanied by a squeeze of lime or a drizzle of sweet soy sauce for extra taste.
Here are the top 10 best seafood dishes in the world (TasteAtlas 2025 Ranking):
- Loimulohi – Finland
- Kaisendon – Japan
- Batagor – Indonesia
- Kalamar Tava – Turkey
- Otoro Nigiri Sushi – Japan
- Conchitas a la Parmesana – Peru
- Chutoro Nigiri Sushi – Japan
- Cha Ca La Vong (Turmeric Fish with Dill and Noodles) – Vietnam
- Simiako Garidaki – Greece
- Camarones Enchipotlados – Mexico
The recognition of batagor in the world’s best seafood dishes ranking highlights Indonesia’s growing influence in global gastronomy. Alongside other iconic dishes like rendang and nasi goreng, batagor strengthens Indonesia’s position as a country with rich, diverse, and flavorful cuisine that deserves international attention.
Source: CNN Indonesia, TasteAtlas
Photo Credit: Harian Banyuasin
