How to Make Pempek

Pempek

Here's a visual representation of a plate of traditional Indonesian pempek. Let me know if you'd like to tweak or adjust the design! 😊

Pempek is a traditional Indonesian dish made from fish and tapioca flour, usually served with a tangy and sweet vinegar sauce called cuko. Here's a simple recipe to make it at home:

Ingredients

For Pempek Dough:

500 grams of white fish fillet (mackerel or tenggiri is ideal), finely minced
200-250 grams of tapioca flour (adjust as needed)
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of sugar
100 ml of cold water or ice water
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced or ground
1 egg (optional, for extra softness)

For Cuko Sauce:

200 grams of palm sugar (gula aren), chopped
500 ml of water
5 cloves of garlic, finely minced or crushed
10-15 bird's eye chilies (cabe rawit), adjusted to taste
2 tablespoons of tamarind paste (asam jawa), dissolved in water
1 teaspoon of salt

For Serving:

Noodles (optional)
Cucumber, diced
Fried shallots (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Pempek Dough:

1. In a bowl, combine minced fish, salt, sugar, garlic, and egg. Mix well until smooth.

2. Gradually add tapioca flour while kneading lightly. Avoid over-kneading, as this can make the dough tough.

3. Add cold water bit by bit until the dough is pliable and smooth. The dough should not stick to your hands but should not be too stiff.

2. Shape the Pempek:

Take a portion of dough and shape it into your desired type:
Lenjer (long shape): Roll the dough into a cylindrical shape.
Kapal Selam (submarine): Make a small bowl shape, fill it with a beaten egg, and carefully seal it.
Adaan (fried balls): Shape into small balls for deep-frying.

3. Cook the Pempek:

1. Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil. Add a little oil to the water to prevent sticking.

2. Boil the pempek until they float to the surface (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and let cool.

3. For extra flavor, you can fry the boiled pempek until golden brown before serving.

4. Make the Cuko Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, combine water and palm sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add garlic, chilies, tamarind water, and salt. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened.

3. Strain the sauce and set aside.

5. Serve:

Cut the pempek into bite-sized pieces.
Serve with cuko sauce, diced cucumber, noodles, and fried shallots.

How to Make Pempek