Tumis Tongkol Kemanggi: A Flavorful Indonesian Stir-Fry
Embark on a culinary journey with Tumis Tongkol Kemanggi, a delightful Indonesian dish that brings together tender shredded tuna with aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in a vibrant and satisfying meal. This dish showcases the unique flavors of kemanggi (a type of wild basil), complemented by a medley of fresh ingredients that create a harmony of tastes.
Ingredients
To prepare this delicious stir-fry, gather the following ingredients:

- 10 small tuna (tongkol) fish, shredded and bones removed
- 2 packets of kemanggi leaves (wild basil), washed
- 1 medium tomato, blended
- 20 green bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit hijau), blended
- 10 curly chilies (cabe kriting), sliced
- 1 onion (bawang bombay), sliced
- 5 shallots (bawang merah), sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic (bawang putih), sliced
- 1 stalk of lemongrass (sereh), sliced
- 4 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
- 3 bay leaves (daun salam)
- Ginger and galangal, blended (to taste)
- Salt, sugar, pepper, ground coriander, and seasoning (maggi), to taste
- Cooking oil, for sautéing
Preparation Steps
-
Prepare the Tuna: Start by shredding the tuna and frying it until it is half cooked. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
-
Blend the Spices: In a blender, combine the blended chilies, ginger, tomato, and galangal. Once smooth, transfer this mixture to a bowl and mix in the bay leaves and kaffir lime leaves.
-
Slice the Aromatics: Thinly slice the garlic, shallots, curly chilies, onion, and lemongrass to release their essential oils and flavors.
-
Wash the Kemanggi: Rinse the kemanggi leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt and impurities.
-
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the sliced aromatics from Step 3 until they are fragrant and translucent.
-
Combine the Mixture: Pour the blended spice mixture from Step 2 into the pan. Stir well and cook until fragrant.
-
Add the Tuna: Incorporate the half-cooked tuna into the pan, gently mixing it with the sautéed ingredients.
-
Season to Taste: Add salt, sugar, pepper, ground coriander, and seasoning to the dish according to your personal preferences. Adjust these to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
-
Taste and Serve: Sample the dish to ensure the flavors are to your liking. Once satisfied, serve the Tumis Tongkol Kemanggi warm.
Enjoy Your Meal!
This Tumis Tongkol Kemanggi is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of Indonesian culinary tradition that promises to tantalize your taste buds with its rich flavors and inviting aromas. Enjoy your cooking, and happy tasting!