Gado-Gado
Indonesia's beloved salad of blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and hard-boiled eggs, all smothered in a rich, sweet-spicy peanut sauce.
About This Recipe
Gado-gado — literally 'mix-mix' — is Indonesia's most internationally recognised dish and the country's answer to the composed salad. A colourful assembly of blanched vegetables, fried tofu and tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, and potato, all generously dressed in a rich, sweet-spicy peanut sauce, it is found everywhere from street carts to fine restaurants across the archipelago.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 200 gfirm tofu(sliced and fried)
- 150 gtempeh(sliced and fried)
- 200 gcabbage(shredded, blanched)
- 150 gbean sprouts(blanched)
- 2 mediumpotatoes(boiled and sliced)
- 100 ggreen beans(blanched)
- 3hard-boiled eggs(halved)
- 200 gpeanut butter
- 2 tbspkecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 1 tbsplime juice
- 2 clovesgarlic(minced)
- 2bird's eye chillies(or to taste)
- 150 mlwater
Instructions
- 1
Make sauce
Blend peanut butter, kecap manis, garlic, chillies, lime juice, and water into a smooth sauce. Heat gently to warm.
- 2
Arrange plate
Arrange vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and eggs on a large plate or platter.
- 3
Dress
Pour peanut sauce generously over everything.
- 4
Garnish
Top with prawn crackers (krupuk) and fried shallots.
Pro Tips
- →
Serve warm — pour the warm peanut sauce over room-temperature vegetables just before serving.
Variations
- •
Add sliced cucumber and tomato
- •
Use almond butter for a different nutty flavour
- •
Make the sauce spicier with more chillies
Storage
Store sauce separately and refrigerate up to 5 days. Assemble fresh — dressed gado-gado does not keep well.
History & Origin
Gado-gado's origins are debated, but it has been part of Javanese and Sundanese cooking for centuries. The peanut sauce reflects the importance of peanuts introduced by Portuguese and Spanish traders in the 16th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kecap manis?
Indonesian sweet soy sauce — thick, dark, and syrupy. Substitute with regular soy sauce + brown sugar.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 4 servings total
Time Summary
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