rijsttafel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (primarily encountered in culinary/travel contexts or by enthusiasts)Formal, Specialised
Quick answer
What does “rijsttafel” mean?
A traditional Indonesian meal consisting of a large selection of various dishes accompanied by rice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional Indonesian meal consisting of a large selection of various dishes accompanied by rice.
A celebratory or elaborate communal dining experience featuring numerous side dishes, typically from Indonesian cuisine, served alongside rice. In extended use, can refer metaphorically to any large, diverse assortment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word, but it may be marginally more familiar in British English due to historical colonial and trade links with the Netherlands and Indonesia.
Connotations
Equally connote an exotic, elaborate, and potentially expensive dining experience in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English for both, but might appear slightly more often in UK food writing.
Grammar
How to Use “rijsttafel” in a Sentence
[verb] a rijsttafel (e.g., order, serve, experience)a rijsttafel of [plural noun] (e.g., a rijsttafel of curries and satays)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rijsttafel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The restaurant does not rijsttafel on Sundays.
- They plan to rijsttafel for the festival. (Note: Extremely rare/forced verbal use)
American English
- The caterer offered to rijsttafel the event. (Note: Extremely rare/forced verbal use)
adverb
British English
- The food was served rijsttafel-style. (Only possible as part of a compound)
American English
- They ate rijsttafel-fashion, sharing many small plates. (Only possible as part of a compound)
adjective
British English
- They offer a rijsttafel-style dining experience.
- The rijsttafel menu was extensive.
American English
- We looked for a rijsttafel restaurant in the city.
- It was a rijsttafel dinner party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in marketing for restaurants, culinary tourism, or food festivals.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, anthropology, or food history papers discussing Indonesian/Dutch colonial cuisine.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation outside specific foodie or travel discussions.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, hospitality, and food writing contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rijsttafel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rijsttafel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rijsttafel”
- Misspelling: 'reistafel', 'ricetable', 'rijstafel'.
- Mispronouncing the initial 'rij' as /rɪdʒ/ (like 'ridge') instead of /rʌɪst/ or /raɪst/.
- Using it to refer to any Asian-style buffet.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both involve variety, a traditional rijsttafel is a curated set of specific Indonesian dishes served together, often to the table, rather than a self-service buffet of arbitrary foods.
No. It is a low-frequency, specialised term. It is useful for food enthusiasts, travellers, or those reading about specific cuisines, but not essential for everyday communication.
It is a loanword from Dutch, where 'rijst' means 'rice' and 'tafel' means 'table'. The Dutch coined the term for the Indonesian meal format during the colonial period.
Yes, though rarely. It can describe any rich and varied assortment, e.g., 'The report was a rijsttafel of data from different sources.'
A traditional Indonesian meal consisting of a large selection of various dishes accompanied by rice.
Rijsttafel is usually formal, specialised in register.
Rijsttafel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrʌɪstˌtɑːf(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪstˌtɑːfəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] A rijsttafel of ideas/options (a wide and varied selection).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RICE TABLE' – it's a table full of dishes to eat with rice.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUNDANCE IS A TABLE FULL OF FOOD; VARIETY IS AN ARRAY OF DISHES.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a rijsttafel?