9 Authentic Indonesian Tempeh Dishes You Need to Try (All Vegan)
Indonesian tempeh dishes are some of the most delicious ways to enjoy this fermented bean cake, and no wonder: tempeh was born on the island of Java. When we travelled to Indonesia in 2020, we had the chance to taste tempeh in all sorts of forms, from street-food snacks to slow-braised family dishes. We couldn't try them all, but the ones we did were unforgettable.
Here are 9 authentic Indonesian tempeh dishes to try. Most are naturally vegan, and for the few that traditionally include animal products, we give you a simple vegan swap. All of them work beautifully with fresh tempeh, whether it's made from soy, like in Java, or from chickpeas, peas or lentils, like ours.
9 Indonesian tempeh dishes to try
1. Tempeh goreng
The simplest and most beloved of all. Tempeh is sliced, soaked in a mix of crushed garlic, ground coriander seeds and salt, then fried until golden and crispy. Served as a side dish or snack, it's naturally vegan.
2. Sambal goreng tempeh
Tempeh is cut into thin sticks, fried until dry and crisp, then tossed in a sticky, sweet and spicy chilli sauce with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). Vegan swap: many sambals contain terasi (shrimp paste). Leave it out, or use a little miso or a dash of soy sauce for depth.
3. Gado-gado with tempeh
Gado-gado is a traditional Indonesian salad of blanched vegetables such as cabbage, bean sprouts, green beans and carrots, with tofu or tempeh and potatoes, all covered in a rich peanut sauce and topped with crispy fried shallots. Vegan swap: skip the boiled egg and prawn crackers, and check that the peanut sauce contains no shrimp paste.
4. Tempeh rendang
Rendang is a rich, aromatic dish from West Sumatra, slow-cooked in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, chilli and spices until the sauce almost caramelises. In this vegan version, tempeh takes the place of meat and soaks up every bit of flavour.
5. Pepes tempeh
Pepes is a cooking technique where ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves, then steamed or grilled. Tempeh is mixed with a fragrant spice paste, herbs and sometimes vegetables, wrapped and cooked until the flavours meld. Vegan swap: some versions add small dried fish. Simply leave them out, or add mushrooms instead.
6. Mie goreng with tempeh
Mie goreng is Indonesia's famous fried noodle dish, often made with tempeh, vegetables and spices, stir-fried with soy sauce and kecap manis. Vegan swap: use egg-free wheat or rice noodles and skip the fried egg on top.
7. Tempeh bacem
A traditional Javanese dish from Central Java. Bacem is a Javanese way of braising food in spices and palm sugar until the liquid has almost completely evaporated. The tempeh is simmered in coconut water, palm sugar and spices such as coriander seeds, shallots, galangal and Indonesian bay leaves, then briefly fried. The result is moist, sweet, gently spiced and deep brown. Naturally vegan, and the same method works with tofu (tahu bacem).
8. Tempeh mendoan
A speciality of Purwokerto. In the Banyumas dialect, mendoan means "flash-fried". Thin slices of tempeh are dipped in a spiced batter with spring onions and fried very quickly in hot oil, so they stay soft and tender rather than crispy. Usually served with chilli and sweet soy sauce, and the batter is typically egg-free.
9. Kripik tempeh
Kripik tempeh are crunchy crackers made from very thinly sliced tempeh, coated in a light spiced batter and fried until crisp. They're popular all over Java, especially in Bandung in West Java and Malang in East Java. A perfect vegan snack.
Tempeh Goreng Sambal Goreng Tempeh
Bring a taste of Java to your kitchen
These are just a few of the many dishes in Indonesian cuisine that celebrate tempeh. They show how versatile it is: crispy or tender, sweet or spicy, as a snack or the star of the meal. And they all prove that tempeh soaks up flavours like few other ingredients.
Want to cook them at home? Our fresh, unpasteurised tempeh is made every week in Lutry from organic legumes. Try our chickpea tempeh or beluga lentil tempeh, and check our tempeh cooking guide for the basics. Curious about tempeh's history? Read our 10 fascinating facts about tempeh.
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