Indonesian Pempek (Fried Fish Cake)

Name: Indonesian Pempek (Fried Fish Cake)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 500 g boneless white fish fillet (mackerel or snakehead, finely minced); 200 g tapioca flour; 2 garlic cloves (finely grated); 1 egg; 1½ tsp salt; 1 tsp white pepper; 100 ml cold water; 2 hard-boiled eggs (halved or quartered); Water for boiling; Oil for shallow or deep frying; 250 ml water; 4 garlic cloves; 6 bird’s eye chillies (adjust to taste); 100 g palm sugar (chopped); 75 ml tamarind water; 1 tbsp white vinegar; ½ tsp salt

Instructions

Prep:30minCook:45min

Pempek is a South Sumatran fried fish cake with a chewy texture served alongside a tangy spicy vinegar sauce called cuko offering bold flavour and deep Indonesian heritage in every bite

Updated at: Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:36:13 GMT