This unique yet simple dish is a great excuse to make a trip to your local Southeast Asian or East Asian grocery store. Lime leaves, lemongrass, and kecap manis give this Indonesian tempeh stir fry an authentic blend of tangy, fresh, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Every bite will take you on a trip around the world, just like my Vegan Pho and Thai Butternut Squash Curry.
What is tempeh?
Tempeh is a basically a fermented soybean cake, typically sold in rectangular blocks. It’s originally from Indonesia, where it’s been used in cooking for thousands of years. Tempeh is a good source of umami thanks to fermentation. The flavor is meaty, nutty, and a little mushroom-y. And its nutrition profile is off the charts (more on that below)! Note: Sometimes, tempeh will have dark black or blue-ish spots on it. This is not mold or a sign of spoilage. It’s safe to eat and tastes fine.
About tempeh kecap
Tempeh kecap (sometimes called tempeh manis) is an Indonesian tempeh stir fry that’s sweet, salty, a little spicy, and sticky. It’s made primarily from fried tempeh and peanuts, which are coated in an aromatic sauce and flavored with plenty of aromatics. This dish gets its name from the popular condiment kecap manis, which is a sweet soy sauce that’s used both as a condiment and as a seasoning in Indonesian cooking. Kecap manis is typically made from soy sauce and palm sugar, boiled down into a syrupy consistency; sometimes aromatics like lime leaves, star anise, ginger, and garlic are added. The texture and taste are similar to molasses with background notes of soy sauce. Interested in reading more? Learn more about kecap manis over on Serious Eats.
Why this recipe works
Crispy without the excess oil.
In a traditional tempeh kecap (and in similar Indonesian recipes), the tempeh is deep fried. While I’m not opposed to deep frying (as you might know from my epic Gobi Manchurian!), choosing not to deep fry is a low-maintenance and less messy alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. Instead, the tempeh is pan-fried, making it remarkably crispy and irresistible. It honestly tastes deep fried but is a bit more wholesome.
Tempeh has (truly) never tasted so good.
If my BBQ tempeh or tempeh tacos haven’t turned you into a tempeh lover yet, tempeh kecap surely will. While tempeh has a naturally bitter and dense texture that can be hard to love, a few techniques here make all the difference. (1) Cutting the tempeh into very small matchsticks, (2) pan-frying the pieces in oil, and (3) coating them in a sweet and sticky sauce masks tempeh’s natural bitterness and converts the dense nuttiness into crispy morsels.
A to-die-for flavor profile.
Unless you’re already familiar with Indonesian cuisine, I can guarantee you’ve never tried anything quite like this. Every bite is zingy uniquely refreshing. And it’s all thanks to the various citrus flavors. First, fresh lime leaves bring distinctive Southeast Asian flavor right to the tip of your tongue. They perfume the entire dish with refreshingly bright and citrusy notes without the familiar tartness of fresh lime. Lemongrass also comes into play, adding its intoxicating lemony, minty, and gingery aromas. It’s the secret to lightening up this rich Indonesian stir fry.
Ingredient notes
Tempeh. This is an Indonesian vegan meat substitute made from fermented soybeans. You can find tempeh in most grocery stores these days (next to the tofu!). Tip: When you’re shopping, look for “original” varieties, as they have the best texture. Skip the “three grain” varieties, as their texture can be quite hard, and anything flavored (like “tempeh bacon” or “buffalo tempeh”). Substitute: While tempeh is the key ingredient here, if you’re allergic to soy but still intrigued by these flavors, you could try a soy-free sub like jackfruit here. Kecap manis. This is a popular Indonesian condiment that’s basically a sweet soy sauce. It adds a powerful sweet umami flavor to this tempeh stir fry. You can find bottled kecap manis at Southeast Asian grocery stores and large East Asian markets like Hmart (ABC and Cap Bango being the most popular brands in the U.S.), or you can buy it online (affiliate link). Make it at home: Alternatively, you can make kecap manis at home using my easy 3-ingredient recipe in the 2nd recipe card (I actually prefer this to store-bought). Peanuts: Peanuts are an integral ingredient in an Indonesian tempeh kecap, adding a nutty crunch to each bite. Substitute: Allergic to peanuts? Omit and/or substitute with chopped dry roasted almonds. Lemongrass. Both East Asian and Southeast Asian grocery stores should sell fresh lemongrass. Some well-stocked grocery stores will sell pre-trimmed lemongrass in packages. If you can’t find lemongrass, leave it out. Lime leaves. Just like lemongrass, fresh lime leaves should be in stock at most East Asian and Southeast Asian grocery stores. They may be sold as “lime leaves,” “makrut lime leaves,” or “kaffir lime leaves.” Substitute: If you can’t find fresh leaves, dried makrut lime leaves are a good alternative (affiliate link). Keep the dried leaves whole or snip each leaf to release more flavor. Fresno peppers. Fried tempeh in sweet soy sauce isn’t an overly spicy dish. However, if you can’t handle spicy food at all, use just 1 Fresno pepper. Substitute: If you can’t find Fresno peppers, replace them with 1 to 2 Thai chile peppers or 1 serrano pepper (seen in the step-by-step photos). If you love spicy food, feel free to add another pepper.
Step-by-step instructions
Prep the aromatics. Slice the shallots, chile peppers, lime leaves, garlic, and bell pepper. Grate the lemongrass. Make the sauce: mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Cut the tempeh crosswise into very thin slices. Stack several slices on top of each other and cut those into tiny slivers. The smaller the matchstick pieces, the better. Fry the tempeh. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet (or wok). Once it’s hot, add the tempeh and season with salt. Cook undisturbed until it’s beginning to brown, then stir. You’ll know it’s ready when most pieces are golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried tempeh to a paper towel-lined plate while you prepare the rest. Make the stir fry. Lower the heat and add a little more oil before adding the shallots, garlic, and chile peppers in the pan. Cook briefly, then add the lemongrass, lime leaves, and bay leaf. Turn up the heat and add the bell peppers, and stir fry for a couple minutes. To assemble the stir fry, add the fried tempeh back into the pan along with the peanuts. Pour in the sauce and toss to coat. Keep cooking until the sauce becomes sticky and covers each piece of tempeh. Remove the lime leaves and bay leaf and season with salt and lime juice if needed. Serve over rice and enjoy!
Tips for making tempeh kecap
You need a nonstick frying pan.It’s non-negotiable. A nonstick frying pan or wok is essential because the tempeh will stick otherwise. If you don’t have a large pan (e.g., 12 inches), I recommend cooking the tempeh in two batches for the crispiest results. To cook tempeh in a wok: Heat over high heat until it just starts to smoke. Add the oil and swirl it in the pan to get it up the lower sides. Add the tempeh and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for a total of 8 to 12 minutes. Stir every 2 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Thin matchstick slices are key. The key to super crispy tempeh without deep frying is to slice the tempeh very small (and to use relatively high heat). It takes a few extra minutes to slice the tempeh this way, but the crispy results are worth it, I promise. Don’t stir the tempeh too often. Let the tempeh fry undisturbed for a few minutes at a time. This enables it to get golden and crispy without deep frying. If you’re worried about it burning, turn the heat down slightly. If you love this unique Indonesian Tempeh Kecap as much as we do, please be sure to leave a rating and review below :) And as always, I love seeing your remakes on Instagram!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
