Tofu tempe bacem is a humble traditional Indonesian dish from Yogyakarta and Central Java. Like many other Javanese dishes, it has a sweet and savory flavor. You can eat this tahu and tempe bacem as a snack or with rice and vegetable dishes. My mother’s hometown is Surakarta, a city in Central Java that most people know as “Solo.” We usually visit this city once a year and never miss a visit to its traditional market. You can easily find people selling tahu and tempe bacem, common street foods in that market. Besides Solo, there is also one region famous …

Most people probably know about Indonesian mie goreng from the instant brand Indomie. This recipe is the classic version of that noodle. Vegan mie goreng is a dish that will please everyone in the family. Crunchy vegetables, chewy noodles, sweet sticky sauce—what’s not to like? It’s easy to make on a weeknight and delicious enough to serve anyone. So what exactly is mie goreng? “Mie” in Indonesia is noodle, and “goreng” means fried, so “mie goreng” is a fried noodle. This Indonesian food is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine but has a definite Indonesian taste. One key differentiator is incorporating …

Satay (in Indonesia, we usually call it “Sate”) is a grilled skewer dish famous in Southeast Asia. It is similar to Middle Eastern kebab but is served with a sauce. Most of the time, satay is made of meat, but other ingredients like mushrooms, tofu, and tempe are not uncommon. In this recipe, we will make vegan mushroom satay! Satay Varieties There are many varieties of satay based on the meat used, the way the meat is cooked, the spice used for the seasoning, and the sauce served with it. One study in Indonesia says there are 252 varieties of …

This could be the first time you hear the word “Pepes”. If you googled this word, you will find a Wikipedia article saying that this word means the Indonesian cooking method using banana leaves as a food wrapping. After the wrapping step, the pepes can be steamed, baked, or grilled. The purpose of using banana leaf as a wrapper is to get the special aroma from the burnt banana leaf as it will be infused inside the cooked food. Spiced tofu cooked in banana leaves (or pepes generally) is famous in the West Java region of Indonesia. There are lots …

Sauté leunca is a very niche recipe since I believe if you are not from Indonesia (and West Java primarily), you have probably never heard of this vegetable called Leunca. I made this dedicated post because, as you all know, I am Indonesian and live in Singapore. Even though Singapore and Indonesia are very near each other, not all Indonesian vegetables are available there. Leunca is one of the Indonesian vegetables that I miss the most! When my housekeeper mentioned seeing it in the local market, I immediately asked her to buy it. For those who already know what Leunca …

Who doesn’t love a good chicken noodle soup? Especially during the cold weather, having a bowl of this soup can warm your heart and soul! Before going vegan, I always loved making good Indonesian chicken noodle soup. It’s not difficult to make and reminds me of chicken noodle soup my mother made whenever I was sick. Since I went vegan, I stopped making this as I thought it was impossible to recreate the umami taste of the chicken broth until I really craved it and finally tried to do some experiments to make it. This chicken noodle soup recipe uses …

Indonesian cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, and at the heart of many dishes lies the sambal—a fiery chili paste that brings spice, depth, and complexity. Among the many variations, Sambal Goreng stands out for its balance of heat, tanginess, and sweetness, making it a versatile condiment that pairs perfectly with various dishes. Whether you’re an adventurous foodie or want to add spice to your meals, this Sambal Goreng recipe will guide you step-by-step. Sambal Goreng is more than just a chili paste; it embodies Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage. Each spoonful delivers a punch of flavors, combining the heat …