Vegan Sambal Jawa
Tempeh and tofu in a glossy, sweet-and-spicy Javanese sambal. Sambal jawa is deeply savoury and a little fiery, rich with caramelised shallots and tamarind, lovely spooned over rice.
By Farah
· May 2025
Prep 30 min · Cook 30 min ·
Makes 6 · 370 kcal per serving
Contains Soya Allergen detail ↓
Fried tempeh, tofu, and potatoes are tossed in a fragrant chilli paste, along with soft bean curd and glass noodles, creating a beautiful mix of textures and flavors.
This recipe serves 4 to 6 people, depending on portion size and accompaniments.
Let’s cook
Ingredients
- 40 g dried bean curdor fucuk
- 50 g dried glass noodles
- 25 g dried chilliesI use Kashmiri chillies
- 20 g garlic
- 110 g shallots
- 1 inch galangal
- 220 g potatoes
- 250 g firm tofu
- 250 g tempeh
- 2 tsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp palm sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 fresh chilliesfor garnish
- salt to taste
- oil for frying
Prepare dried bean curd and glass noodles
Soak bean curd and glass noodles in hot water until soft. Drain and cut them into bite-sized or shorter pieces.
Prepare dried chillies
Remove seeds from dried chillies by cutting them. Seeds will settle at the bottom.
Boil and simmer until soft.
Prepare potatoes, tofu and tempeh
Peel and cut potatoes. Cut tofu into cubes.
Chop tempeh, then mix with turmeric and salt.
Prepare chilli blend
Blend half garlic and shallots with the softened chillies and galangal. Add a little water to help the blender run smoothly.
Slice the remaining ingredients
Slice the remaining shallots, garlic and fresh chillies.
Fry the potatoes, tofu and tempeh
Fry potatoes until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Fry tofu until golden brown. Remove and drain.
Fry tempeh until golden brown. Remove and drain.
Cook the sambal base
Heat oil and sauté the sliced shallots and garlic until fragrant and soft.
Add chilli blend and cook, stirring frequently, until oil separates and the paste darkens in colour. This deepens the flavour and makes sure the sambal is thoroughly cooked.
Season the sambal sauce
Add tamarind paste, salt, palm sugar and sweet soy sauce.
Simmer briefly to meld the flavours.
The paste will continue to darken in colour.
Combine everything
Add fried tempeh, tofu and potatoes to the pot.
Add soft bean curd and glass noodles.
Mix everything well to coat the sauce.
Toss in fresh chillies for extra heat and a pop of colour.
Serve
Serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy!
No talking. Just the making.
2:46 · Farah's Foods on YouTube
Get to know it
The full picture
Always check your own packets; shared processing varies by brand.
Nutrition
An estimate per serving, from the ingredients listed.
Percent daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values vary with the brands you use.
Notes
Sambal Jawa is a bold, flavorful dish that’s perfect for sharing. Serve it with rice and enjoy a delicious taste of Indonesian home cooking.
From our kitchen
