Question 1

True or false: Some versions of gado-gado include fermented soybean cake called tempeh.

Accepted Answer

True. Tempeh is a common protein addition, though traditional gado-gado focuses on boiled vegetables and eggs.

Question 2

True or false: Gado-gado is always served cold like a salad and never eaten warm.

Accepted Answer

False. It can be served at room temperature or slightly warm, especially when freshly made with boiled vegetables and warm sauce.

Question 3

True or false: Gado-gado is typically served with a peanut sauce that includes palm sugar and tamarind.

Accepted Answer

True. The peanut sauce is indeed sweetened with palm sugar and soured with tamarind, giving it a distinctive Indonesian flavor.

Question 4

True or false: The peanut sauce in gado-gado is sometimes made with coconut milk for extra richness.

Accepted Answer

True. Coconut milk is occasionally added, especially in richer versions, though water or stock is more common for everyday recipes.

Question 5

True or false: Gado-gado is traditionally eaten as a main course, not as a side dish.

Accepted Answer

False. It's primarily a side dish or appetizer in Indonesian meals, often served alongside rice and main proteins like fried chicken.

Question 6

True or false: Gado-gado originated as a royal court dish in Java during the 18th century.

Accepted Answer

False. It actually began as a street food for commoners, made from leftover vegetables and peanut sauce, not a royal creation.

Question 7

True or false: Gado-gado literally translates to 'mixed vegetables' in Indonesian.

Accepted Answer

False. It actually means 'mix-mix' from Betawi language, referring to the mixing of ingredients and sauce, not specifically vegetables.

Question 8

True or false: A key ingredient in authentic gado-gado is kencur, a type of aromatic ginger.

Accepted Answer

True. Kencur (lesser galangal) is often used in the peanut sauce for its unique citrusy aroma, but many modern versions omit it.

Gado-gado Trivia Questions