Tempe Mendoan (Half-Fried Tempeh in Herbed Batter)
In short: Thin slices of tempeh in a scallion and coriander batter, fried briefly until just set and soft inside, with a sweet and spicy chili dip. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Tempe mendoan comes from Banyumas in Central Java and is now sold from stalls across the country. Thin slices of tempeh are dipped in a runny batter with scallions and coriander, then fried for only a minute so the coating stays soft and floppy instead of crisp. Mendoan means half-cooked, and that is the charm. Eat the slices hot with a sweet soy and chili dip, straight from the pan.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, rice flour, spring onions, garlic, coriander, turmeric and salt in a bowl. Pour in the cold water and mix to a thin batter, like runny pancake batter.
- Stir the kecap manis, chilies and lime juice together in a small bowl for the dip.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan to 175°C (350°F), or until a drop of batter sizzles and rises at once.
- Dip each tempeh slice into the batter so it is fully coated, letting the extra drip off.
- Fry 3 or 4 slices at a time for about 1 minute per side, until the batter is just set and pale gold. It should stay soft, not hard and crunchy.
- Drain the slices on paper towels and serve right away with the dip and extra chilies.
Tips
- Keep the batter cold and thin for the lacy, soft coating. If you prefer crisp tempeh, fry for 3 minutes per side or add a spoonful more flour to the batter.
- Leftover batter can coat sliced tofu or vegetables such as eggplant. Chinese chives are the traditional herb if you can find them.
Questions and answers
Can I bake tempe mendoan instead?
You can bake coated slices at 220°C (425°F) on an oiled sheet for 15 minutes, turning once. The result is firmer and drier than the real half-fried texture.
What is tempeh and where can I buy it?
Tempeh is a firm cake of fermented soybeans with a nutty flavor. Look for it in the refrigerated or frozen section of health food shops and Asian markets.
Can I make mendoan ahead?
It is best straight from the pan. If needed, hold it in a 120°C (250°F) oven for 15 minutes, or re-crisp leftovers in a hot pan with a little oil.
How long does it take to make Tempe Mendoan (Half-Fried Tempeh in Herbed Batter)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tempe Mendoan (Half-Fried Tempeh in Herbed Batter)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 41 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
