Kerak telor
Kerak telor is a Betawi traditional spicy omelette dish from Indonesia. It is made from glutinous rice cooked with egg and served with serundeng, fried shallots, and dried shrimp as toppings. Kerak telor is considered a snack and not a main dish. The dish has become popular at the annual Jakarta Fair.
Preparation
Kerak telor is made freshly in front of customers. A small amount of glutinous rice is placed on a small wok and heated over a charcoal fire. Then, an egg is added and mixed in with spices. No cooking oil is used, so the omelette sticks to the wok and allows the vendor to hold it upside down toward the fire, until it is cooked. Afterward, serundeng, dried salted shrimp, and fried shallots are sprinkled on top.
History
Kerak telor originates from the Dutch colonial era, when the quality of glutinous rice was poor, and eggs and other toppings were added to make it more palatable.