I have just read an excellent blog post written so well by Angie's Recipes, Köttbullar – Classic Swedish Meatballs which gave me an inspiration to write this article. Thank you so much Angie;s Recipes, Köttbullar is really quite very close to meatballs (bakso) are very popular and distinctive in Indonesia.
I have written also in my blog post. You could have read my blog post about meatballs Why Bakso Holds a Special Place in the Heart of Indonesians
By the way, the idea of forming minced meat into balls and cooking them in soup or sauce is truly international. Almost every culture has its own version of meatballs, though the ingredients, seasonings, and cooking styles differ. Here are a few examples: Italy: Polpette , China: Lion’s , Turkey: Köfte , Iran: Kufteh ,United States: Meatballs often served with spaghetti or in sandwiches (meatball sub). Thailand: Look chin meatballs made from fish, chicken, or pork, served with chili sauce.
The concept of meatballs is global, even though each country adds its own twist in terms of spices, sauces, and serving styles.
If there’s one food that can bring people together no matter where they live, it might just be meatballs. Indonesians know and love their bakso those bouncy, savory meatballs floating in hot broth, topped with noodles, fried shallots, and a splash of chili sauce. But did you know that almost every country in the world has its own version of meatballs?
That’s right! From Italy’s famous polpette to Turkey’s köfte, meatballs are truly a global comfort food. Every culture puts its own twist on this simple idea minced meat shaped into small balls and cooked to perfection. Let’s take a trip around the world and see how this humble dish connects so many different kitchens and traditions.
The Indonesian Favorite: Bakso
Let’s start right here at home. Bakso is one of Indonesia’s most beloved street foods. You can find bakso vendors almost everywhere from small carts on busy streets to fancy restaurants in shopping malls.
Traditionally, bakso is made from ground beef mixed with tapioca flour to give it that chewy texture Indonesians love. It’s served in a savory beef broth with noodles, fried tofu, and sometimes a boiled egg. Of course, you can’t forget the condiments soy sauce, chili sauce, and fried shallots make it extra tasty
Bakso isn’t just food; it’s an emotion for many Indonesians. Whether you eat it during lunch with friends or late at night while watching TV, it always feels comforting and familiar.
Meatballs Around the World
The fun part is Indonesia isn’t alone in its love for meatballs. Let’s see how other countries enjoy their own versions:
I have written also in my blog post. You could have read my blog post about meatballs Why Bakso Holds a Special Place in the Heart of Indonesians
By the way, the idea of forming minced meat into balls and cooking them in soup or sauce is truly international. Almost every culture has its own version of meatballs, though the ingredients, seasonings, and cooking styles differ. Here are a few examples: Italy: Polpette , China: Lion’s , Turkey: Köfte , Iran: Kufteh ,United States: Meatballs often served with spaghetti or in sandwiches (meatball sub). Thailand: Look chin meatballs made from fish, chicken, or pork, served with chili sauce.
The concept of meatballs is global, even though each country adds its own twist in terms of spices, sauces, and serving styles.
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| Bakso Urat: A bow of Meatballs type "Bakso Urat" which those filled with chewy tendons perfect for those who like texture. You can have it with affordable price about 30.000 Rupiahs or about more than $2 |
If there’s one food that can bring people together no matter where they live, it might just be meatballs. Indonesians know and love their bakso those bouncy, savory meatballs floating in hot broth, topped with noodles, fried shallots, and a splash of chili sauce. But did you know that almost every country in the world has its own version of meatballs?
That’s right! From Italy’s famous polpette to Turkey’s köfte, meatballs are truly a global comfort food. Every culture puts its own twist on this simple idea minced meat shaped into small balls and cooked to perfection. Let’s take a trip around the world and see how this humble dish connects so many different kitchens and traditions.
The Indonesian Favorite: Bakso
Let’s start right here at home. Bakso is one of Indonesia’s most beloved street foods. You can find bakso vendors almost everywhere from small carts on busy streets to fancy restaurants in shopping malls.
Traditionally, bakso is made from ground beef mixed with tapioca flour to give it that chewy texture Indonesians love. It’s served in a savory beef broth with noodles, fried tofu, and sometimes a boiled egg. Of course, you can’t forget the condiments soy sauce, chili sauce, and fried shallots make it extra tasty
Bakso isn’t just food; it’s an emotion for many Indonesians. Whether you eat it during lunch with friends or late at night while watching TV, it always feels comforting and familiar.
Meatballs Around the World
The fun part is Indonesia isn’t alone in its love for meatballs. Let’s see how other countries enjoy their own versions:
• Italy – Polpette: Italians make their meatballs with a mix of beef, pork, or veal, and often serve them with tomato sauce. Unlike in movies, Italians don’t always eat them with spaghetti they can be a separate dish or part of a family meal.
• Sweden – Köttbullar. Just visit to Angie's recipe. She wrote everything about this and even give you all that tasty recipe. Try it
• Turkey – Köfte: Turkish köfte are seasoned with spices like cumin, garlic, and parsley, then grilled or fried. They’re usually served with rice or flatbread.
• China – Lion’s Head: These are giant pork meatballs, slow-cooked in broth with vegetables. They’re a classic comfort food for Chinese families.
• Thailand – Look Chin: Small, bouncy meatballs made from pork, chicken, or fish, often skewered and sold by street vendors with sweet chili sauce.
• United States – Meatball Sub: Americans love putting everything in a sandwich — even meatballs! The meatball sub is filled with tomato-sauced meatballs, melted cheese, and lots of flavor.
No matter where you go, people have found ways to make meatballs their own proving that food truly speaks a universal language.
Why Are Meatballs So Universal?
There’s a good reason why almost every culture has some kind of meatball. The idea is simple: take what you have, season it, shape it, and cook it! Meatballs are practical, delicious, and flexible.
They can be made from beef, chicken, pork, fish, or even plant-based alternatives. You can fry, steam, grill, or bake them. They can be part of a soup, a sandwich, or a main course.
< Beyond their versatility, meatballs represent comfort and home cooking. They remind people of family meals, warm soups, and gatherings. Whether you’re slurping bakso on a rainy day or enjoying spaghetti and meatballs on a Sunday, it’s about that same cozy feeling.
Food That Connects the World
What makes meatballs fascinating isn’t just the taste it’s the story behind them. Every version reflects the culture it comes from. The spices, sauces, and side dishes tell you something about the local people and their traditions.
Food like this connects us more than we realize. It shows how different countries can create something similar in their own way. You might start with the same basic idea minced meat but end up with a hundred delicious variations.
So, next time you’re enjoying a bowl of bakso, think about how someone in Sweden, Italy, or Turkey might be eating their own kind of meatballs at the same moment. It’s proof that, no matter how far apart we live, good food always brings us closer together.
You can read - Things Foreign Tourists Always Ask About Indonesia
Summary
The humble meatball is more than just a tasty dish it’s a global story told through flavor. From the spicy stalls of Jakarta to cozy Italian kitchens and Turkish grills, meatballs have earned their place as an international comfort food.
So why not take a little culinary adventure? Try different meatball recipes from around the world, or invite your friends for a “meatball night.” You might discover that even though our recipes differ, our love for good food is exactly the same.
A Message From Asep Haryono
"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well. Please leave any comment down below. Let me hear from you. Greetings from Indonesia"
My daughter is making mini meatballs tonight to go with a pasta dish she's making. Meatballs are so versatile. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Ma'am. I love meatballs in everyway. It looks so good to me and my whole family. We love Pasta too. Good morning from Indonesia
DeleteThanks for telling me about the meatballs. I think they look too big in your photo. In Russia, we make small meatballs.
ReplyDeleteThat’s actually a fun and interesting cultural observation You probably feels that way because food portion sizes and presentation vary a lot between countries.
DeleteIn Indonesia, especially in street food culture, meatballs (or bakso) are often served quite large sometimes even as big as a ping-pong ball or more.
For Indonesians, that’s considered normal and satisfying. But in Russia (and in many European countries), meatballs are usually smaller often bite-sized, like the Swedish or Russian kotlety or tefteli.
They’re typically served with sauces, mashed potatoes, or pasta, and people don’t expect them to be huge. So when you see Indonesian bakso, it can look unusually big almost like a “giant” version of what they know as a meatball.
It’s a mix of cultural food habits, serving size expectations, and even eating style (Indonesians like hearty, filling street food bowls, while Russians might prefer smaller, home-style portions).
Anyway, I really appreciate your comments and ideas.