Indonesia | Sauces & Condiments | Soy Sauce

Kecap Manis

(Indonesian sweet soy sauce)

Yield: About 2 cups


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Sugar, brown 1 cup
Soy sauce 1 cup
Water 1/2 cup
Galangal sliced in discs 1-2 slices
Star anise 1 each

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Caramelize → Boil → Strain
  1. Put the sugar in a small saucepan and place over medium-high flame. Stir until sugar begins to clump together and then melt. Stir constantly until sugar is all melted, but do not burn. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  2. Stir in rest of ingredients (Be careful!! The sugar is still hot and the liquid may splatter.) and return to heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and boil 10-15 minutes until reduced and syrupy. Strain, cool and store refrigerated.

VARIATIONS

  • Use palm sugar instead of brown sugar if you can find it.
  • Add 1-2 tsp molasses if you like for a richer flavor

NOTES

  • Kecap manis (pronounced like ketchup) is a ubiquitous ingredient in Indonesian cooking. If you are unable to find it at your local Asian market, this recipe is an approximation. This soy-based sauce is the origin of the word "ketchup", even though the original contains no tomatoes.