Tongseng (Indonesia)

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Tongseng, highlighting its characteristic sweet soy and coconut broth infused with spices and tender meat.

Level Medium Prep 20 min Cook 30 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

50 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 20m

Cook 30m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Tongseng, highlighting its characteristic sweet soy and coconut broth infused with spices and tender meat.

A popular Javanese meat and vegetable soup cooked in a rich coconut milk and sweet soy sauce base.

Instructions

Boil the mutton pieces in water until partially tender, then drain and discard the water (retain meat).
Grind shallots, garlic, roasted candlenuts, turmeric, coriander powder, and cumin into a smooth spice paste.
Heat a little oil in a wok or pot, and sauté the spice paste along with bruised lemongrass, galangal, and Indonesian bay leaves until aromatic.
Add the parboiled meat into the wok and stir well to coat with the spices.
Pour in water and coconut milk, bringing it to a gentle simmer while adding sweet soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Add the chopped cabbage, tomato wedges, and whole bird's eye chilies just before serving, simmering briefly until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Nutrition

Calories 380

Protein 24g

Carbs 14g

Fat 26g

Fiber 2g

Sugar 7g

Sodium 550mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 20 min

Cook 30 min

Total 50 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.3 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.6
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.2
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An aromatic, sweet-and-savory Indonesian meat soup that provides incredible warmth and robust flavors.

Pros

Rich and comforting broth
Deeply aromatic spices
Balanced sweet and savory notes

Cons

Requires careful meat pre-boiling for best texture

Overview

A popular Javanese meat and vegetable soup cooked in a rich coconut milk and sweet soy sauce base.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Tongseng, highlighting its characteristic sweet soy and coconut broth infused with spices and tender meat.

Tips

Add the cabbage and tomatoes near the very end so they retain a slight crunch and vibrant color
Use high-quality sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to achieve the signature Javanese flavor profile
Serve hot with a sprinkle of crispy shallots and warm steamed rice