Pong Teh (Nyonya Fermented Bean Soup)

Name: Pong Teh (Nyonya Fermented Bean Soup)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1.5 litres water for boiling (take 1 1/2 cups of this afterwards for gravy); About 10 dried shiitake mushrooms; 2 large potatoes, diced into bite-size pieces; 1 large carrot, diced into bite-size pieces; 200g (approx. 1 cup diced) firm tofu; 2 large onions, roughly chopped or minced with a mortar and pestle; 1 bulb garlic, roughly chopped or minced with a mortar and pestle; 3 tbsp fermented bean paste ('tauchu'); 40g gula melaka; 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 1/2 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

Prep:10minCook:50min

A hearty recipe passed down from generations, this signature dish of Peranakan food culture has been given a vegan update whilst still showcasing its intriguing gravy made of coconut palm sugar and fermented bean paste.

Updated at: Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:28:09 GMT