Kecap manis is an Indonesian sauce that is thick and sweet compared to other sauces such as soy sauce, because of the addition of palm sugar. If you have cooked with molasses then you will be familiar with the sauces luxurious dark shiny texture. Kecap manis possesses a rich, caramel-like flavour with a mildly smoky undertone to it. It is a great condiment and can be used as an ingredient for adding flavour and colour to your food. The sauce is also great for glazes, soups, sauces, stir-fries, marinades, or you can use it for flavouring satay. Kecap manis is also an essential ingredient in nasi goreng, a classic Indonesian fried rice dish; as well as mie goreng, a low-cost meal of fried noodles.
When compared to some of the most popular Asian sauces, kecap manis is not exactly a popular or mainstream sauce. If you are trying your hand at an Indonesian recipe and do not have a store nearby that sells this product there are various substitutes you can consider. Below are some of the best substitutes for kecap manis sauce.
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Soy Sauce
Our first best alternative to kecap manis sauce is soy sauce. Soy sauce can be used as an excellent substitute for kecap manis sauce because both of them are made from fermented soybeans. Soy sauce is one of your best substitutes for kecap manis sauce. If you want to get an authentic taste and consistency, you can even add two common kitchen items which are brown sugar, and molasses (treacle). Simply follow these steps for a best soy sauce substitute for kecap manis sauce.
You will need;
- A cup water
- A cup of dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup molasses
- A cup of soy sauce
- Add some water and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat it up on medium until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and keep your pan boiling for five minutes until the liquid thickens and reaches about 230°F (110°C). Use a candy thermometer that will be a big help during this stage.
- Reduce your heat to a gentle simmer and stir in the molasses and soy sauce.
- Allow your soy sauce to cool and use it in any recipe that calls for kecap manis.
Hoisin Sauce
Another alternative to kecap manis sauce is hoisin sauce. Hoisin sauce also makes an excellent replacement for kecap manis because of its lovely thick, glossy texture and sweet and salty flavour profile. To make the sauce thinner slowly simply add one tablespoon of water at a time, mixing it in until you are happy with the consistency. Hoisin sauce has a lovely reddish-brown colour that makes meat look irresistible, especially beef ribs, pork, and Peking duck. You can also add hoisin sauce to any dish that requires kecap manis sauce.
Oyster Sauce
Also on our list of best alternative sauces for kecap sauce is oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is a flavour-packed, thick, and salty ingredient that is high in umami. It also shares some similarities to kecap manis sauce because of its caramel flavour. Although it can be used in many recipes that call for kecap manis sauce, it has a much lighter brown colour, plus it is thicker and saltier sauce that lacks sweetness. You can simply add some palm sugar or dark brown sugar with water to make a useful backup sauce for any meal that may require kecap manis sauce.
Tianmian Sauce
Another great alternative to kecap sauce is tianmian sauce. Tianmian sauce is a Chinese sweet bean sauce, or tianmianjiang that can make a great substitute for kecap manis sauce. Tianmian sauce is a little thicker in consistency than kecap manis, but that should not be a problem in most recipes. You can use it for noodle sauces, braising meat, or fried rice. It is also thick enough to use as a dipping sauce plus you can use it as a substitute for many dishes that call for kecap manis sauce.
Tamari Sauce
Tamari sauce is another decent alternative to kecap manis sauce. It is a good option if you need a gluten-free kecap manis replacement. It is a Japanese sauce that was traditionally made by extracting liquid from soybean miso. However, new production methods have changed the manufacturing process, but it still has a miso feel to it. The taste of tamari sauce will not perfectly mimic kecap manis sauce, but it will not be out of place in Indonesian cooking. The sauce is not overly salty plus it makes a good dipping sauce. You can use it in almost any dish that requires kecap manis substitutes. It is important to always read the label if you are on a gluten-free diet to make sure that no wheat has been added.
Shoyu Sauce
Also on our list of good substitutes for kecap manis sauce is shoyu sauce. This sauce is of Japanese origin and it is made from wheat and soybeans. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its enzymes which promote the production of friendly bacteria in the stomach. Shoyu sauce is similar to soy sauce, but it is sweeter, and less harsh than soy sauce. You can use shoyu sauce in almost any dish that requires kecap sauce.
Home Made Kecap Sauce
Lastly, you can make your own kecap manis sauce if you have a little extra time on your hands. You will need a quarter cup of soy sauce, brown sugar or palm sugar which can be brilliant. Simply follow these steps;
- Use a small pot, add some brown sugar and soy sauce to it.
- Boil the sauce over low to a low medium flame until it thickens resembling maple syrup, When the mixture begins to boil vigorously and looks like it is going to overboil, leave your pot away from the flame until the boiling has subsided and continue to boil over low heat.
- Keep a watchful eye on your mixture to avoid overboiling.
- As the mixture cools down, it will further thicken.