Acar kuning
Acar kuning is an Indonesian pickled vegetable dish characterized by its bright yellow color, which comes from turmeric used in the spice paste. It originates from Java and is commonly served as a condiment or side dish alongside rice-based meals, particularly with fried or grilled proteins such as chicken, fish, or tempeh.
The term acar refers broadly to pickled or preserved vegetables in Indonesian cuisine, while kuning means yellow, indicating the color and the presence of turmeric in the recipe.
The pickle typically includes a mix of vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, shallots, green beans, and sometimes cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces. These are either lightly blanched or left raw, then combined with a warm pickling liquid made from vinegar, sugar, salt, and a spice paste that usually contains ground turmeric, garlic, shallots, ginger, and candlenuts. Read more
The mixture is simmered briefly, poured over the vegetables, and left to marinate. The result is a sharp, slightly sweet, and aromatic pickle with a crisp texture and a distinctive yellow hue. Acar kuning is different from plain acar in both its seasoning and intensity.
While regular acar may rely only on vinegar and sugar with raw vegetables, acar kuning includes a cooked spice component that enhances depth of flavor and gives the dish a mildly earthy profile. The vinegar provides acidity, which helps preserve the vegetables, while the sugar rounds out the taste.
It is commonly served at room temperature and acts as a palate cleanser or flavor contrast on the plate, cutting through richer dishes with its brightness and acidity. It is a common component in various Indonesian rice platters such as nasi kuning or nasi campur, and also appears in home-cooked meals as a way to extend the shelf life of fresh vegetables.
Though often prepared in small batches for immediate use, acar kuning can be stored for several days under refrigeration, during which time the flavors continue to develop.
Serve with
Nasi kuning
This traditional Indonesian dish consists of rice cooked in coconut milk that is usually seasoned with turmeric, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Even though yellow&... Read more
