Intro
Paying โฌ30 for airline Indonesian food that could pass for restaurant quality?
KLM’s upgrade meals actually deliver authentic flavours and proper presentation.
The Bami Goreng had complex spice layers that built heat gradually, while the tempeh wasn’t the bland Western substitute most airlines serve.
The Upgrade Meal Experience
What arrived actually looked promising.
The presentation looked vibrant and felt substantial.
Multiple compartments created anticipation rather than that sinking feeling when most airline meals arrive looking sad and deflated.
The Bami Goreng was spot on. Rice noodles had absorbed complex spice flavours while keeping their texture instead of turning to mush.
The beef was tender enough to cut with plastic cutlery, with flavours that built heat gradually rather than just attacking your tongue.
The tempeh surprised me – it had proper flavour and firm texture instead of the bland protein substitute most Western kitchens serve.
The rujak salad was fresh with tropical fruits and vegetables, though the spice level packed more heat than I expected.
The sambal delivered an authentic Indonesian punch throughout.
For dessert, the coconut bavarois offered creamy tropical sweetness that tasted like fresh coconut rather than artificial flavouring.
The layered spekkoek cake was the real star – thin alternating vanilla and spice layers that require proper skill to execute.
Standard Economy Comparison
Passengers choosing standard economy meals get competent hot options like chicken or vegetarian dishes with decent sides.
The crew delivered everything with genuine care, and the spiced apple cake dessert maintains quality standards without the cultural depth of upgrade options.
It’s perfectly edible food that does the job – nothing wrong with it, just not memorable.
Snacks & Second Meal
Dutch specialty snacks like Koetjes reep chocolate bars stayed available from the galley throughout the flight.
Plus, they served a second pizza meal before landing that exceeded expectations despite its obvious frozen origins.
Conclusion
At โฌ19-โฌ30, this upgrade delivers meaningful improvement over standard economy service.
The Indonesian meal showcases cultural authenticity while providing substantial portions and genuine flavour complexity.
It could’ve been served in a decent Indonesian restaurant without raising eyebrows.
If you appreciate authentic ethnic cuisine and want your flight meal to be memorable rather than just fuel, KLM’s ร la carte service provides a worthwhile enhancement to the economy experience.
Rather than offering slightly larger portions of standard airline food, they’ve created genuine culinary experiences that rival ground-based restaurants.
Credit where it’s due – KLM has nailed this concept.
