Authentic Indonesian Tempeh Orek (Print View)
Crispy tempeh tossed in sweet soy sauce, chilies, and fragrant spices for a true Indonesian classic.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
350 g tempeh
02 -
5 shallots
03 -
3 cloves garlic
04 -
3 curly red chilies
→ Aromatics and Seasonings
05 -
1 bay leaf
06 -
2 lime leaves
07 -
1 knuckle galangal
08 -
1 tbsp palm sugar
09 -
3 tbsp sweet soy sauce
10 -
½ tbsp tamarind
11 -
3 tbsp water
12 -
½ tsp salt
13 -
¼ tsp ground black pepper
14 -
½ tsp chicken stock powder
15 -
Cooking oil, as needed
# Directions:
01 -
In a small bowl, soak tamarind in 3 tablespoons water and set aside.
02 -
Cut tempeh into thin rectangular pieces. Diagonally slice the curly red chilies. Slice shallots and garlic thinly. Set aside each ingredient.
03 -
Heat sufficient cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry tempeh pieces until golden brown. Remove and place on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
04 -
Reserve 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. Sauté shallots, garlic, galangal, bay leaf, and lime leaves until aromatic.
05 -
Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved tamarind water, sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, salt, pepper, and chicken stock powder to the pan. Stir and cook until the sauce becomes caramelized.
06 -
Return fried tempeh to the pan and mix thoroughly until well coated. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving plate.
# Notes:
01 -
For extra flavor, allow the tempeh to rest after frying before combining with the sauce, ensuring optimal texture and taste.