Check out our guide to kecap manis, including where to buy it and plenty of recipe inspiration, then read about what is gochujang, kombucha and kimchi.
What is kecap manis?
Kecap manis is a sweetened, spiced soy sauce from Indonesia. It has a thicker consistency than regular soy sauce – more akin to molasses or maple syrup – which makes it great in marinades, glazes, stir-fries and dressings, although it’s also used as a condiment.
Where to buy kecap manis
Cooks' Ingredients Ketjap Manis, £1.20/200ml, Waitrose
ABC Kecap Manis, £6.99/620ml, Amazon
Kecap manis recipes
This chicken fried rice is a classic Indonesian dish. It has a touch of heat from the galangal and white pepper, and sweetness from the kecap manis.
Packed with aromatic rice and sweet-sticky aubergines, this vegan dish is a great alternative to a classic stir-fry.
Use broccoli as a centrepiece, then scatter with spring onions, salted peanuts and crispy onions for an umami-rich vegan entertaining dish.
Check out this traditional nasi goreng recipe made with chicken and topped with crispy fried eggs and punchy hot sauce. This simple Indonesian recipe makes a comforting weekend recipe and can feed the whole family.
Serve flavour-packed crispy chicken with sticky peanut sauce from Scott Hallsworth's Asian restaurant Freak Scene in London's Soho.
