Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)

There’s a reason Kecap Manis is the most popular condiment in Indonesia:  It’s not only delicious, it’s so incredibly versatile you’ll find yourself wanting to add it to nearly everything!

A meal in Indonesia is virtually incomplete without ketcap manis, the most popular condiment in the country!

It’s not only the most popular condiment, it’s the most widely used condiment in Indonesia.  So much so that over 90% of soy sauce production in Indonesia goes towards making kecap manis.

Kecap manis is such a deliciously versatile sauce and will do wonders for a vast variety of Asian-inspired dishes!

WHAT IS KECAP MANIS?

Also known as ketjap manis, it’s a thick and dark molasses-like sauce with palm sugar and soy sauce as its base and with the addition of aromatic spices for flavor.  The word manis means “sweet” in Malay/Indonesian and so the sauce is often referred to as “sweet soy sauce.”

The method for making it is much like a balsamic vinegar reduction wherein the ingredients are slowly simmered until the sauce naturally thickens into a syrupy consistency.  Traditionally palm/coconut sugar is used which gives the sauce deep caramelly and butterscotch undertones.

Kecap manis has been popular in Indonesia for…well, for a very, very long time.  Interestingly it is also quite popular in the Netherlands because of the influence of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia in from the late 16th century until 1945.

A VERY BRIEF HISTORY LESSON

I recently read an article discussing the history of kecap manis in Indonesia.  Though most Indonesians today buy their kecap manis in bottles at the grocery store that wasn’t always so.  In earlier days it wasn’t available in bottles produced by huge manufacturers.  Instead local families built their livelihood on it and produced and sold it at the local markets.  The city of Majalengka alone used to have 300 different local vendors who produced their own versions of kecap manis, each with their own distinct flavor variations.

But then Heinz and Unilever took over two of the brands, ABC and Bango, and local producers couldn’t compete with their advertising power.  As a result many of family-run businesses who had been making kecap manis for generations were forced out of business.  Another result is that the vast variety of kecap manis sauces dwindled down to a small handful of bottled brands, the unique local variations largely lost.

Well, we’re sticking with homemade kecap manis.  Not only is it free of the junk ingredients and preservatives found in the bottled versions, it also tastes MUCH better!  Plus it’s super easy to make so there really just is no excuse not to make your own.

With Indonesia’s past tradition of a vast variety of flavor variations, feel free to experiment with other flavors by adding ingredients like black peppercorns, chilies, coriander seeds, lemongrass and kaffir or curry lime leaves.

HOW DO YOU USE KECAP MANIS?

This is one deliciously versatile sauce!

It is a central ingredient in the national dish of Indonesia, nasi goreng (fried rice), as well as mie goreng (fried noodles).  It’s also commonly used in satays.

Try adding it to Asian-style salad dressings, peanut sauces, drizzled over sandwiches, added to scrambled eggs, lightly brushed on grilled corn on the cob, grilled chicken, pork, beef, fish and seafood…the sky’s the limit!

Bottom line:  Kecap Manis does wonders for rice and noodle dishes and is equally fantastic added to stir-fries or used in marinades, glazes, soups and barbecue sauces or used as a dipping sauce.

HOW TO MAKE KECAP MANIS

Let’s get started!

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved and sauce begins to thicken, 10-15 minutes.

Note:  The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools so be careful not to over-cook it.  But you can get an idea of its thickness by placing a place in the freezer for a few minutes and then spooning a little sauce onto it to see how thick it is when it cools.

Turn off the heat, cover and let cool completely with the spices, garlic and ginger still in it so they can continue to release their flavors.

Once cool, discard the pieces, pour the sauce into an airtight jar and store in the fridge.  It will keep for several weeks.

Enjoy!

 

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