All traditional Indonesian food is designed to complement or be complemented by rice. For Indonesians, the whiter the rice, and the more it's been hulled and slipped, the tastier it is. White rice serves as a sharp counterpoint to the spiciness and heat of Indonesian food. Beef products are consumed mostly by urbanites. Rural consumption of beef is kept in check by the need to maintain buffalo as draught animals and cows as milk producers.
Chicken tends to be scrawny and tough in Indonesia, but at least it has flavor.
Pork is produced and consumed by the Hindu Balinese, the urban Chinese, and the Torajans. Goats, bred all over Indonesia, are the Muslim staff of life. Inc. All Rights Reserved.