Pisang goreng

Pisang goreng is a beloved snack enjoyed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Essentially, it's made by deep-frying bananas or plantains in hot oil. While it is popular across Southeast Asia, it is particularly cherished in Indonesia, where street vendors frequently sell it.

In making pisang goreng, plantains are preferred over regular bananas because of their flavor and texture. Some of the favored plantain varieties include pisang raja, pisang tanduk, and pisang kepok. Before frying, the bananas are typically coated in a batter made from various types of flour, such as wheat, rice, tapioca, or even breadcrumbs. In Indonesia, pisang goreng falls under a broader category called gorengan, which encompasses an array of deep-fried snacks.

While you can enjoy pisang goreng plain, it is often enhanced with toppings like powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, cheese, jam, condensed milk, or ice cream. Each region in Indonesia puts its unique twist on this snack, resulting in a variety of distinctive versions. Some of these include pisang goreng kipas, pisang goreng pasir, pisang goreng kremes, pisang goreng madu, pisang molen, pisang cokelat, pisang nugget, pisang goreng telanjang, and pisang goreng Manado.

The love for fried bananas isn't confined to Indonesia. In the Philippines, similar treats like pritong saging, maruya, banana cue, and turon are made using saba bananas. Over in Suriname, you'll find a comparable dish called bakabana.

Pisang goreng has even made its way into pop culture. It was mentioned in the 1993 film adaptation of the Dutch novel "Oeroeg" where it was highlighted as a unique food enjoyed in the Dutch East Indies.