Braised Tofu in Sweet Soy Sauce

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Cooking Method: Braising, Sautéing

Cuisine: Jakarta

Difficulty: Beginner

Cooking Temp: 65 C

Servings: 5

Estimated Cost: 2.30

Calories: 350

Best Season: Spring, Fall, Suitable throughout the year

Description

Semur Tahu is a beloved Indonesian comfort dish made by braising tofu in a rich, sweet, and savory soy-based sauce infused with warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and garlic. Traditionally served with steamed rice, this plant-based meal is both hearty and healthy, making it a perfect choice for everyday dinners. Its deep, slightly caramelized flavor comes from Indonesian sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), creating a deliciously balanced dish that’s simple to make yet full of authentic taste.

Ingredient

16 gram Shallots
7 gram Garlic
2 gram Candlenut
0.5 cm Ginger
0.25 tsp Nutmeg
0.25 cm Cinnamon
0.5 stalk Lemongrass
1 leaf Bay Leaf
0.25 tbsp Tamarind
1 piece Clove
0.25 tsp Salt
0.25 tsp Palm Sugar
0.25 tsp Ground Coriander
1 tbsp Sweet Soy Sauce
0.2 tsp Ground Pepper
0.2 pack Fried Shallots
185 ml Water
3 blocks Tofu

Instructions

1
Prepare the Bumbu Halus (Spice Paste)
- Blend the shallots, garlic, candlenut, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander into a smooth paste.
2
Sauté the Spice Paste
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the ground spice paste until it becomes aromatic and fragrant.
3
Add the Water and Simmer
- Once the paste is fragrant, add the water (185 ml) to the pan, stirring to combine.
4
Add Tofu and Cook
- Cut the tofu into cubes and add it to the pan. Season with sweet soy sauce, tamarind, palm sugar, bay leaf, clove, salt, and ground pepper. Stir everything gently.
5
Simmer Until the Sauce Reduces
- Let the mixture simmer over low heat for about 20–25 minutes, or until the tofu absorbs the flavors and the sauce thickens, reducing in volume.
6
Finish and Serve
- Once the sauce has reduced and the tofu is tender, garnish with fried shallots and serve with steamed rice.

Keywords: semur tahu