🇮🇩 Indonesia · Food
Tahu Tek
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇮🇩 IDA delightful street-food salad from East Java consisting of fried tofu, bean sprouts, and sliced lontong (compressed rice cakes) drenched in a savory, nutty peanut sauce.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Deep-fry 400g of tofu in hot oil until golden and crispy, then drain and cut into bite-sized cubes.
- 2
Briefly blanch 100g of bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 seconds to retain their crunch; drain immediately.
- 3
Roast 100g of peanuts until fragrant, then grind them in a mortar along with garlic, chilies, and palm sugar into a coarse paste.
- 4
Stir in 2 tbsp of sweet soy sauce and the juice of 1 lime into the peanut paste until it forms a thick, tangy dressing.
- 5
Arrange the cubed tofu, blanched bean sprouts, and sliced rice cakes on a serving plate.
- 6
Pour the thick peanut sauce generously over the top of the ingredients.
- 7
Garnish with additional crushed peanuts or a side of crispy prawn crackers for extra texture.
- 8
Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm tofu and the refreshing, zesty peanut dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace the rice cakes?+
You can serve it over steamed jasmine rice if lontong (compressed rice cakes) is unavailable.
How do I make the sauce smoother?+
Add a few tablespoons of warm water to the sauce to reach your preferred consistency.
Is tofu firm or soft best?+
Use extra-firm tofu so it doesn't break during frying and stays crisp on the outside.
Can I store the leftovers?+
It is best eaten fresh; the tofu and bean sprouts lose their texture quickly once dressed.
🇮🇩 IDMundo Match
This dish doesn't have a strong Mundo Match yet — but here's the closest ingredient overlap we found across the world's cuisines.
