Main Dishes & Rice
Pepes Tahu (Steamed Tofu in Banana Leaf)
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Smooth tofu mixed with basil and yellow spice paste, then wrapped in banana leaf — soft, fragrant, and savory! This pepes tahu is perfect as a side dish because it's light yet still full of flavor. A favorite for those who love traditional Sundanese vegetarian food.
🧂 Ingredients
🍽️ Servings: 4
Adjust the servings and the ingredient amounts & nutrition below update automatically.
- 3 pieces white tofu (mash until smooth)
- 5 Spice paste: shallots
- 3 clove garlic
- 2 inch piece turmeric
- 3 red chili peppers
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 egg
- To complete: basil leaves
- 2 stalks scallions, sliced
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- to taste Banana leaves
- to taste Bamboo skewers/picks
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👩🍳 Instructions
- 1 Mash the tofu with a fork until smooth
- 2 Grind all the spice paste ingredients until smooth
- 3 Mix the tofu with the spice paste and egg
- 4 Add the basil and scallions, mix well
- 5 Adjust the seasoning to taste
- 6 Prepare the banana leaf and place the tofu mixture on it
- 7 Add the bay leaves
- 8 Wrap tightly and secure with a bamboo pick
- 9 Steam for 25-30 minutes
- 10 Remove from the steamer; you can briefly grill it on a nonstick pan if desired
- 11 Serve warm with rice
💡 Tips
• Regular white tofu works better than silken tofu for pepes — its texture is firmer
• Squeeze out excess water from the tofu before mashing it
• Use plenty of basil — this is what makes pepes tahu so fragrant
• The egg acts as a binder so the mixture doesn't fall apart
📊 Nutrition Facts / serving
150
Calories (kcal)
12 g
Protein
8 g
Fat
6 g
Carbs
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