🇮🇩 Indonesia · Food
Tahu Gimbal
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
A delightful Semarang specialty featuring fried tofu and shrimp fritters served with bean sprouts and a rich peanut sauce.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Deep-fry 400g of tofu cubes in hot oil until they become golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Prepare the shrimp fritters by mixing a simple flour batter with small shrimp and frying them until crunchy.
- 3
Roast the 100g of peanuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 4 minutes until fragrant, then crush them coarsely.
- 4
In a mortar, grind the 3 garlic cloves, 5 chilies, and 2 tablespoons of palm sugar into a smooth paste.
- 5
Mix the ground peanut paste with the 4 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce and a squeeze of the lime juice.
- 6
Blanch the 200g of bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 seconds and drain immediately to keep them crunchy.
- 7
Arrange the tofu and fritters on a plate, layering the bean sprouts on top.
- 8
Drizzle the generous amount of peanut sauce over the assembly and garnish with extra crushed peanuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I omit the shrimp?+
Yes, you can make plain flour fritters if you prefer, though the shrimp adds a signature savory depth.
What kind of tofu works best?+
Firm or extra-firm tofu is ideal as it holds its shape during deep-frying.
Is the sauce supposed to be thick?+
Yes, it should be a thick, textured paste that coats the ingredients well.
Can I serve this as a main dish?+
While often served as a side or snack, it is filling enough to be a light main meal when served with rice cakes.
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