rijsttaffel
Noun: A meal originating in Indonesia, characterized by a central serving of rice accompanied by a diverse assortment of side dishes, sauces, condiments, and accompaniments.
The term "rijsttaffel" refers specifically to the elaborate, multi-dish meal format itself. It is used as a singular noun to describe the entire dining experience or spread. * We experienced an authentic Indonesian rijsttaffel at the restaurant. * The rijsttaffel featured over twenty different small dishes.
- The hotel's Sunday brunch includes a magnificent .
- Preparing a proper requires careful planning due to the number of components.
- For many visitors to Indonesia, trying a is a culinary highlight.
- The word is of Dutch origin ("rijst" meaning rice, "tafel" meaning table), reflecting the colonial history of the Indonesian archipelago. It is sometimes used in historical or cultural contexts to describe the colonial-era practice of such meals.
- In modern culinary writing, it may be used metaphorically to describe any abundant and varied spread of food.
- The potluck dinner was a veritable international rijsttaffel.
- Rijsttafel: An alternative, more common spelling in modern English usage.
- Rice table: A direct English translation sometimes used.
- Indonesian feast: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the celebratory and abundant nature of the meal.
- Multi-course meal (Indonesian): A more generic term specifying the cuisine.
The concept emphasizes variety and abundance. While the core is rice, the essence of a rijsttaffel lies in the wide array of flavorful side dishes—which can include satays, curries, pickles, nuts, fruits, and sambals—allowing diners to create their own personalized combinations.
- dish originating in Indonesia; a wide variety of foods and sauces are served with rice