Serabi
Indonesian Coconut Pancakes
Serabi are delightful, soft, and slightly chewy coconut pancakes, often enjoyed as a popular street food snack in Indonesia, especially in the city of Solo. They are traditionally cooked in small, unglazed clay molds, giving them a unique texture and aroma. Served warm with a sweet palm sugar syrup, they are a simple yet satisfying treat.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Rice flour(Use good quality, finely ground rice flour.)
- 300 ml Coconut milk(Full-fat coconut milk is recommended for richness. Ensure it's at room temperature.)
- 100 ml Water(Room temperature.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar(Optional, for a hint of sweetness in the batter.)
- 1-2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or coconut oil(For greasing the cooking molds.)
- 200 ml Palm sugar syrup(For serving. Can be store-bought or homemade by simmering palm sugar with a little water and pandan leaf.)
- 2-3 leaves Pandan leaves(Tied into a knot. Used to infuse flavor into the syrup or batter.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice flour, salt, and optional sugar. Gradually pour in the coconut milk and water, whisking continuously until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. The consistency should be similar to thin pancake batter.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Rest the batter: Cover the bowl and let the batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This allows the rice flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a better texture.
⏱️ 30 minutes (minimum resting) - 3
Prepare the cooking vessel: Traditionally, serabi are cooked in small, individual clay molds (known as 'cetakan serabi'). If using these, lightly grease each mold with vegetable or coconut oil. If you don't have clay molds, a small non-stick skillet or a mini pancake pan can be used. Heat the pan over medium-low heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Cook the serabi: Once the mold/pan is hot, give the batter a quick stir. Ladle about 1/4 cup (or enough to fill the mold about halfway) of batter into each heated mold or pan. Do not overcrowd.
⏱️ 1 minute per batch - 5
Steam the top: Immediately cover the mold/pan with a lid or foil to trap the steam. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the surface of the pancake begins to look set and small bubbles appear. The edges should start to look slightly golden and pull away from the sides.
⏱️ 2-3 minutes per pancake - 6
Finish cooking: Remove the lid. The pancake should be cooked through and slightly puffed. If using a pan, you can gently flip it for a few seconds to ensure it's cooked, but traditionally, they are not flipped.
⏱️ 30 seconds per pancake - 7
Serve: Carefully remove the serabi from the mold/pan. Serve immediately while warm. Drizzle generously with palm sugar syrup. You can also add a knotted pandan leaf to the syrup while warming it for extra fragrance.
⏱️ 1 minute per serving
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to good serabi is the resting time for the batter.
- ✓Using traditional clay molds imparts a unique earthy flavor and a slightly crispier edge.
- ✓Adjust the heat carefully; too high and the outside will burn before the inside cooks.
- ✓Serabi are best enjoyed fresh and warm.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of salt to the palm sugar syrup.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of grated fresh coconut to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese (a popular modern variation).
- Add a few chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Serve with a dollop of sweetened condensed milk.