budget-friendly

Growing up in Indonesia, tempeh was a staple in my household. It was versatile, affordable, and packed with nutrition. My mother always ensured we had fresh tempeh from the local market, which became a core ingredient in our meals. But while tempeh could be prepared in many ways—grilled, stir-fried, or added to stews—nothing was as special as Tempe Mendoan. The process of making Tempe Mendoan was almost ritualistic. My mother would carefully slice the tempeh into thin rectangular pieces, mix the batter with just the right blend of spices, and heat the oil to the perfect temperature. She always knew when to …

If you’re not from Indonesia—specifically West Java—there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of sauté leunca. This dish, featuring the unique vegetable leunca, is a hidden treasure of Indonesian cuisine. Beloved by locals but relatively unknown outside Indonesia, sauté leunca showcases the essence of Sundanese cooking, emphasizing fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and simple preparation methods. As an Indonesian living in Singapore, I often crave the flavors of home. Among the many dishes I miss, sauté leunca holds a special place in my heart. While Singapore is geographically close to Indonesia, many Indonesian vegetables, including leunca, are not widely available here. …