tempeh mendoan

Indonesia · Southeast Asia

Short description: Tempeh mendoan is a soft-fried tempeh snack, cooked just long enough for a tender center and lightly crisp edges.
Ingredients: Thin tempeh slices fried in rice-and-wheat batter with scallions, garlic, coriander, salt, oil, sweet soy, and chiles.
Cultural note: The name points to a deliberately half-done texture, so softness is a feature rather than a mistake.
Common misconception: It is not meant to be fried until brittle; the classic texture stays pliable and tender.

image credit