July 28, 2020
Tongseng is an Indonesian goat meat, mutton or beef stew dish in curry-like soup with vegetables and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). Tongseng is commonly found in Indonesian region of Central Java; from Surakarta to Yogyakarta. However, it is believed that dish was originated from Klego district in Boyolali, Central Java.
The term tongseng derived from Javanese term osengan which refer to “stir frying” to describes its cooking method. It also refer to the “seng” friction sounds of metal frying spoon against metal wok.
The soup is made of ground mixture of garlic, shallot, black pepper, ginger, coriander, galangal, daun salam (Indonesian bay leaves), and lemongrass sauteed with palm oil until it gets aromatic. The diced meat then poured into the sauteed mixture until cooked. Usually the uncooked goat meat from sate kambing (goat satay) are used. Add water until it boiled and add sweet soy sauce with tamarind juice. After the boiled mixture reduces, shredded cabbages and sliced tomato are add to add fresh and crisp texture. Some versions are prepared using coconut milk. Slices of bird’s eye chili might be added for those who prefers extra hot and spicy tongseng soup.
Tongseng is usually served with hot steamed rice. The soup of tongseng is similar to gulai soup, however gulai is cooked without sweet soy sauce while tongseng mostly appears in brownish gold colour because of the addition of sweet soy sauce. Gulai usually uses beef’s offal while tongseng usually only uses meat (goat, lamb, mutton or beef).
credit: Wikipedia
This Stan is one of my favourite Tongseng Restaurant, which located at Muntilan City in Central Java, near temple in Muntilan. They are open from 17:00 until sold out, and usually, around 22:00 it has already sold out.
Usually, I will arrive at 16:45 and waiting. Why I come so early? Because if you come late, then the seat will be full already and you have to queue. Usually, at 17:00 when they open, there will be some people already in there. At least, you have to wait 10 portion to be cook. This stan is quiet famous in here.
The meat is tender, and it taste very tasty. Especially when you added Sataw, yummy.. You will forget that you are in diet if you taste it.. Hehe..
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