Indonesian · beginner
Tempe Orek (Sweet Soy Glazed Crispy Tempeh)
Crispy golden cubes of tempeh coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory caramel glaze infused with shallots, galangal, and bay leaf.
- PREP TIME
- 10 min
- COOK TIME
- 15 min
- SERVES
- 4
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- 02
Add tempeh cubes and shallow-fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning regularly until golden brown and crispy; remove tempeh and set aside.
- 03
In the remaining oil, sauté shallots, garlic, sliced red chili, galangal, and bay leaves for 3 minutes until softened.
- 04
Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in sweet soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of water, stirring until it bubbles into a sticky syrup.
- 05
Return crispy tempeh to the pan and toss rapidly for 1 minute until every piece is coated in glaze.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Shallow-Crisp Glaze
Crisping plant proteins in hot oil first to build texture before coating rapidly in a reduced sweet glaze.
Notes from the kitchen
- Ensure tempeh is shallow-fried to a clear crunch before glazing so it stays crispy when syrup coats it.
- Keep heat low when bubbling kecap manis to avoid scorching the sugars.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Indonesian; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.
