Move over, Caesar. Indonesia’s humble, flavor-packed street salads are taking the world by storm! In a stunning culinary twist, three Indonesian favorites—pecel, ketoprak, and gado-gado—have landed on TasteAtlas’ World’s Best Salads 2025 list, going head-to-head with Mediterranean legends and coming out strong.

Pecel cracked the Top 10, sitting confidently at #7 with a rating of 4.3—outranking dozens of global staples, including the iconic Caesar salad, which landed way down at #50. Not far behind, ketoprak secured #11 (also rated 4.3), and gado-gado held its ground at #26 with a 4.1 rating.

While the Top 3 spots are still dominated by Mediterranean heavyweights—Dakos (Greece), Horiatiki aka Greek salad (Greece), and Houria (Tunisia)—Indonesia is making waves with its vibrant, sauce-drenched dishes that are anything but your typical salad.

What makes these Indonesian entries so irresistible? It’s the signature peanut sauce, the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, poured generously over a medley of fresh vegetables, tofu, tempeh, rice cakes, and noodles. These aren’t just salads—they’re flavor explosions with a cultural soul.

This global recognition is more than just a culinary win—it’s a cultural moment. For dishes often served from street carts and small warungs, breaking into a list filled with European fine-dining favorites is no small feat. It’s proof that what’s made with heart, history, and local wisdom can rival anything from a five-star kitchen.

With Pecel now rubbing shoulders with Caprese (#4) and edging closer to the top ranks, the world is finally waking up to what Indonesians have always known: our food is unforgettable.

Curious which dishes pecel beat out? Or how close it came to the global podium?

Click here for the full list—and find out why peanut sauce might just be your new obsession.