Authentic Pempek Recipe Palembang, Indonesia

Pempek, also known as empek-empek, is a cherished Indonesian fish cake from Palembang, South Sumatra. It is made with a blend of fish, typically mackerel, sago flour, and simple seasonings. The preparation of pempek starts with grinding the fish into a fine paste, which is then mixed with sago flour and occasionally egg, depending on the recipe, along with seasonings like salt and sugar to enhance its taste. Sometimes, oil is added to make the dough less chewy. This mixture is kneaded into a dough and shaped into various forms, each representing a different variation of pempek. Once shaped, the pempek is boiled until it floats, signifying it is cooked through, and then usually further deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior. Pempek is typically served cut into bite-sized pieces and topped with cuko, a tangy and sweet sauce made from palm sugar, chili pepper, garlic, vinegar, and salt. This sauce adds flavor to the fish cakes with its sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Apart from ... Read more