🇮🇩 Indonesia · Food
Tahu Tek Surabaya
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇮🇩 IDA famous East Javanese street food dish consisting of fried tofu, bean sprouts, and lontong in a savory peanut sauce.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Cut the tofu into small cubes and fry them in a pan with 3 tablespoons of oil until golden brown.
- 2
Briefly blanch the bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain immediately.
- 3
Toast the peanuts in a dry pan until fragrant, then crush them using a mortar and pestle.
- 4
Add garlic, chilies, palm sugar, and a pinch of salt to the mortar, grinding into a coarse paste.
- 5
Stir in the soy sauce and a splash of warm water to create a thick, pourable peanut sauce.
- 6
Place the fried tofu cubes and sliced lontong (compressed rice cake) onto a plate.
- 7
Top with the blanched bean sprouts and generously pour the peanut sauce over the ingredients.
- 8
Serve immediately while warm, optionally topped with fried shallots and crackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lontong?+
Lontong is compressed rice cake wrapped in banana leaves; you can substitute it with cooked jasmine rice.
Can I use store-bought peanut butter?+
Traditional Tahu Tek uses freshly crushed toasted peanuts for the signature texture, but natural peanut butter is a viable shortcut.
How spicy is the sauce?+
You can adjust the heat level by reducing the number of chili peppers used in the paste.
Is Tahu Tek a main course?+
Yes, it is often served as a hearty lunch or dinner street food due to the filling rice cake and tofu.
🇮🇩 IDMundo Match
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