Pempek Kapal Selam, a delicious Indonesian fish cake from Palembang, is known for its savory and rich taste. Often enjoyed as a snack or meal, these delightful fish cakes are not only mouth-watering but also easy to make at home. So let’s learn how to make Pempek Kapal Selam in 14 steps!

1.Gather your ingredients:

– 500 grams of mackerel fish or boneless fish fillet

– 300 grams of tapioca flour

– 2 tablespoons of minced garlic

– 1 tablespoon of salt

– 500 ml of water

– 1 large egg

– Oil for frying

2.Prepare the sauce (kuah cuko):

– 100 grams of palm sugar or brown sugar

– 100 ml of water

– 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste

– 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

– 5 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped (optional)

– Salt, to taste

3.Clean the mackerel fish and remove the bones. If using boneless fish fillet, skip this step.

4.Boil the fish in a pot with enough water to cover it until cooked through.

5.Remove the fish from the pot and let it cool.

6.Flake the cooked fish into small pieces using a fork or your hands.

7.In a large bowl, mix together the flaked fish, tapioca flour, minced garlic, salt, and half quantity of water (250 ml) until well combined.

8.Beat in the egg and gradually add in the remaining water while continuing to mix until you form a dough-like consistency.

9.Heat oil in a deep fryer or a deep frying pan over medium heat.

10.To shape the pempek, wet your hands with cold water and take a small portion of the dough. Flatten it into a patty and place a whole egg yolk in the center (which gives its name “kapal selam” or submarine). Close and seal the dough around the egg yolk, forming an oval shape.

11.Carefully drop the pempek into the hot oil, frying until golden brown on both sides. Once cooked, remove and drain on paper towels.

12.In a saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until it slightly thickens.

13.Sieve or strain the sauce to remove any impurities and let it cool down.

14.Serve your Pempek Kapal Selam warm with kuah cuko on the side for dipping. Optionally, you can serve it alongside noodles or rice for a complete meal experience.

Master these easy steps and impress your friends and family with homemade Pempek Kapal Selam! Enjoy this delicious Indonesian treat that perfectly showcases the exquisite flavors of Palembang cuisine.