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Discover Sayur Tahu Telur — a traditional Indonesian tofu egg soup simmered in spiced coconut milk broth. Silky, savory, and ready in minutes. Try the full recipe here!
About the Dish
Tofu egg soup, known in Indonesian as Sayur Tahu Telur, is a beloved home-cooked dish that has earned its place on family tables across the country. At its heart, it is a simple yet deeply satisfying combination of soft tofu and boiled eggs, simmered in a lightly spiced coconut milk broth that is warm, fragrant, and comforting.
What makes this dish so special is its accessibility. The ingredients are easy to find, the process is straightforward, and the result is a wholesome meal rich in both plant-based and animal protein. It is the kind of food that feels like home — modest in appearance, but full of flavor.
Across different regions of Indonesia, this dish takes on slightly different forms. Some versions carry a thicker broth, while others are lighter and more broth-forward. This flexibility reflects the beauty of Indonesian cooking: simple foundations that can be adapted to local tastes and traditions. Whether served at an everyday family meal or a small communal gathering, Sayur Tahu Telur is always a symbol of warmth and simplicity.
Key Ingredients and Their Role
Tofu acts as the soul of this dish. Its soft, porous texture absorbs the spiced broth beautifully, making every bite savory and satisfying. Lightly frying it beforehand gives the tofu a golden crust that holds up well in the soup.
Eggs bring richness and substance. Boiled until fully cooked, then pan-fried to a light golden finish, the eggs develop a slightly chewy exterior while staying tender inside — adding both texture and protein to the bowl.
Coconut milk is what ties everything together. It softens the heat of the spices, adds a gentle creaminess to the broth, and gives the soup its signature silky, velvety quality that makes it so comforting.
Ingredients
- 5 blocks of white tofu
- 6 eggs
- 1 pack of instant coconut milk
- 700 ml water
- Cooking oil, as needed
- Salt, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Seasoning powder, to taste
- Ground white pepper, to taste
- 2 cm galangal, bruised
Ground Spice Paste:
- 8 shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 candlenuts
- 8 curly red chilies
- 4 bird’s eye chilies
- 2 cm turmeric
Instructions
- Blend all spice paste ingredients using a blender or mortar and pestle until smooth.
- Cut the tofu into triangles or cubes, then shallow-fry until half-cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Boil the eggs until fully cooked. Transfer to cold water, peel, then pan-fry until the surface turns lightly golden. Set aside.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste together with the bruised galangal until fragrant and fully cooked.
- Add the fried tofu and eggs, gently stirring to coat them with the spices.
- Pour in the water and coconut milk, stir well, and cook over medium heat until the broth comes to a boil.
- Season with salt, sugar, seasoning powder, and white pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the broth thickens and the spices have fully absorbed into the tofu and eggs.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and serve warm.
Serving Suggestion
Tofu egg soup is best enjoyed warm, served alongside a bowl of steamed white rice. For a more complete meal, pair it with a simple vegetable side or a light sambal for an added kick. The rich, spiced broth pairs especially well with plain rice, which balances the savory and aromatic flavors of the soup. Leftovers reheat beautifully — the flavors deepen even further the next day.
A Dish, A Language, A Culture
Indonesian cuisine is full of dishes like this one: humble, nourishing, and packed with layers of flavor that tell a story about culture and tradition. If this recipe has sparked your curiosity about the Indonesian language and the rich culture behind it, we would love to help you explore further.
BASANTARA is an Indonesian language school dedicated to helping foreigners learn Bahasa Indonesia in a friendly, structured, and meaningful way. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to deepen your fluency, our programs are designed to fit your pace and goals.
Get in touch with us today:
- WhatsApp: +62 852 1396 8601
- Website: basantara.net
Selamat makan — and happy learning!
