My hometown's version of 'soul' food - Pempek & Sweet Potatoe fritters

Finally home... after what felt like an agonizing flight... I think I am mildly jet-lag... but I've never suffered from jetlag since I was 18. Wow. Age, huh? My mom's back in town, with hometown goodies.From Indonesia.Variations of a kind of fish cake dish called Pempek.

The two common versions are:
1) Long & cylindrical


2) Dumpling style with duck egg


Eaten deep fried for a hard crispy coat today, then dipped in a chilli vinegarette made from brown sugar, vinegar, chilli & garlic. These can be eaten straight off the steamer and even bbq. It is normally served with diced cucumber, fried tofu and/or noodles. There are at least 7 more variations of this fish cake unique to my hometown.

Tastiest pempek are made with ikan belida (aka knifefish) meat sans skin with just enough tapioca flour to bind everything together, seasoned with salt & pepper. Belida has a unique smell but its not overpowering... unless its not fresh. Hehehe. Or else, this should be a mild flavored dish. However, this is not a dish for everyone due to its firmer texture compared to the local fishcake or fishballs. A full piece of pempek is a main, not a side. No kidding.

For sides, mom made sweet potato fritters. Yay!!! Ilove them <3 She makes them so quickly and easily, with consistent perfect results. Unlike mine, which always ends up rock hard or soft. Practice makes perfect, huh?



I m home and hungry, so who cares about presentation. LOL. Just eat while its hot!