Tahu Gejrot
Tahu Gejrot is a popular Indonesian street food snack featuring crispy fried tofu cubes bathed in a sweet, sour, and spicy tamarind-based sauce. It's a delightful explosion of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick bite.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Firm or extra-firm tofu(Ensure it's well-drained and pressed to remove excess water for crispier frying.)
- 100 g Palm sugar (Gula Jawa)(Can be substituted with dark brown sugar if palm sugar is unavailable. Grate or finely chop it.)
- 2 tbsp Tamarind paste(Mix with 4 tbsp warm water and strain to get tamarind water. Adjust to taste.)
- 2 tbsp Vinegar(White vinegar or rice vinegar works well. Adjust to desired sourness.)
- 5-10 Bird's eye chilies (or to taste)(Adjust quantity based on your spice preference. Remove seeds for less heat.)
- 4 Shallots(Use Indonesian shallots (bawang merah) if possible, otherwise use regular shallots.)
- 2 cloves Garlic(Optional, but adds depth to the sauce.)
- 100 ml Water(For the sauce.)
- 1/2 tsp Salt(Or to taste.)
- For frying Vegetable oil(Enough to generously coat the bottom of the pan for shallow frying.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tofu: Cut the drained and pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes (about 2-3 cm).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Fry the tofu: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the tofu cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 3
Prepare the sauce aromatics: Peel and roughly chop the shallots and garlic (if using). Finely chop the bird's eye chilies. For a smoother sauce, you can pound or blend these aromatics into a coarse paste.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Make the sauce: In a saucepan, combine the palm sugar, tamarind water (prepared by mixing tamarind paste with warm water and straining), vinegar, chopped chilies, shallots, garlic (if using), water, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the palm sugar has completely dissolved. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust sweetness, sourness, and saltiness as needed. The sauce should be a balanced sweet, sour, and slightly spicy liquid.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 5
Assemble the Tahu Gejrot: Arrange the fried tofu cubes in individual serving bowls or a larger platter. Pour the warm sauce generously over the tofu, ensuring each piece is coated.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Serve immediately: Tahu Gejrot is best enjoyed hot and fresh while the tofu is still crispy and the sauce is warm. Garnish with extra chili if desired.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For authentic flavor, use Indonesian palm sugar (Gula Jawa).
- ✓The consistency of the sauce should be like a thin syrup. If it's too thick, add a little more water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chilies and vinegar to suit your personal preference for spice and tang.
- ✓This dish is a specialty from Cirebon, West Java, known for its unique flavor profile.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a small piece of garlic to the sauce for a more pungent flavor.
- For a spicier version, increase the number of bird's eye chilies or add a pinch of chili flakes.
- Some variations include a small amount of fermented shrimp paste (terasi) for an umami boost.