Main Course · Dinner · Asian ·

Indonesian Tempeh Manis in Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce

Name: Indonesian Tempeh Manis in Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Tempeh, 300g, cut into bite-sized cubes; Vegetable oil, 2 tbsp; Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), 3 tbsp; Soy sauce, 2 tbsp; Tamarind paste, 1 tbsp; Sugar, 1 tbsp; Garlic, minced, 2 cloves; Red chili, sliced, 1; Water, 100 ml; Onion, sliced, 1; Ginger, minced, 2 cm; Lemongrass stalk, smashed, 1; Kaffir lime leaves, 2; Fresh coriander leaves; Sliced green onions

Enjoy this delightful Indonesian dish of tempeh, simmered to perfection in a spicy and sweet soy sauce infused with aromatic spices.

4.9(560 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 25, 2025

Indonesian Tempeh Manis in Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

15 min

Cook

45 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Tempeh

For the Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce

For the Aromatics

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 264 kcal
Protein: 12.75 g
Carbs: 19.25 g
Fat: 13.75 g
Fiber: 3.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1057 kcal
Protein: 51 g
Carbs: 77 g
Fat: 55 g
Fiber: 14 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Tempeh 300g, cut into bite-sized cubes	510	45	21	27	12
Vegetable oil 2 tbsp	240	0	0	28	0
Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) 3 tbsp	150	3	24	0	0
Soy sauce 2 tbsp	20	2	2	0	0
Tamarind paste 1 tbsp	15	0	3	0	1
Sugar 1 tbsp	50	0	13	0	0
Garlic, minced 2 cloves	8	0	2	0	0
Red chili, sliced 1	6	0	1	0	0
Water 100 ml	0	0	0	0	0
Onion, sliced 1	40	1	9	0	1
Ginger, minced 2 cm	5	0	1	0	0
Lemongrass stalk, smashed 1	5	0	1	0	0
Kaffir lime leaves	2	0	0	0	0
Fresh coriander leaves	1	0	0	0	0
Sliced green onions	5	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Tempeh

1
Heat the oil
Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
2
Fry the tempeh
Add the tempeh cubes and fry until golden brown on all sides.
Tip: Use a non-stick pan to prevent the tempeh from sticking.
3
Drain excess oil
Remove from pan and set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Making the Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce

1
Combine ingredients
In a bowl, mix kecap manis, soy sauce, tamarind paste, sugar, garlic, chili, and water until combined.
Tip: Be careful about tamarind paste as it can overpower the dish.
2
Adjust seasoning
Taste and adjust sweetness or spiciness as desired.
3
Set aside
Set aside for later use.

How to Make Indonesian Tempeh Manis in Spicy Sweet Soy Sauce

Total time: 1 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Cooking the Aromatics
In a large pan, heat a small amount of oil and add onions, ginger, lemongrass, and lime leaves. Cook until onions are soft.
2
Combining the Sauce
Pour the spicy sweet soy sauce into the pan with aromatics; bring to a simmer.
3
Finishing the Tempeh
Add the fried tempeh cubes to the simmering sauce, coating evenly, and let it cook through for 5-7 minutes.