Sweet and Sour Bandeng (Indonesian Sweet-Sour Fish)
This Bandeng Asem Manis recipe brings together the rich, tender flavors of bandeng (milkfish) with a sweet and spicy sauce, creating a balance of savory, tangy, and sweet in every bite. Perfect for those who love simple yet flavorful Indonesian dishes that can be made in just a few easy steps.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Milkfish (Bandeng) | 2 whole pieces |
| Bird’s eye chili (Cabe rawit) | 6 pieces |
| Garlic (Bawang putih) | 3 cloves |
| Shallots (Bawang merah) | 3 cloves |
| Carrot (Wortel) | 1 piece (sliced thinly) |
| Sweet soy sauce (Kecap manis Banggo) | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt (Garam halus) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Palm sugar (Gula merah) | To taste |
| Water | As needed |
Instructions
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Start by cleaning and cutting the bandeng (milkfish). Make sure to remove any scales and bones, and then slice the fish into bite-sized pieces. |
| 2 | Prepare the spices: chop the garlic and shallots, and slice the bird’s eye chili (cabe rawit). You can adjust the chili amount depending on your spice preference. |
| 3 | Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the chopped garlic, shallots, and chili until fragrant. This should only take about 1-2 minutes. |
| 4 | Add water to the pan and let it simmer for a minute or two. Then, add in the carrot slices and stir well. |
| 5 | Season the dish by adding sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) and salt to balance out the flavors. Stir everything to combine evenly. |
| 6 | Carefully add the sliced milkfish (bandeng) into the pan. Let it cook gently, turning the fish occasionally until it’s cooked through. |
| 7 | Adjust the sweetness and savoriness by adding palm sugar (gula merah) to taste. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly and the fish is fully cooked. |
| 8 | Once done, remove from heat, and serve the sweet and sour bandeng hot with steamed rice. |
Tips
- For a richer flavor, you can marinate the fish briefly in sweet soy sauce before cooking.
- Palm sugar is optional, but it adds a beautiful depth of sweetness to this dish. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Enjoy this deliciously simple and flavorful Indonesian-style sweet and sour fish, and happy cooking!
Enjoy the ease of preparing this Bandeng Asem Manis recipe, a dish that will warm your heart and delight your taste buds.
