Tempe Benguk (A Particular Kind of Soybean Cake)

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2.3 ( 6 Voter(s) )

A. Overview

Like the other regencies in the Special Province of Yogyakarta (DIY), Kulon Progo Regency has some special food and one of them is tempe benguk. Despite being plenty in Central Java and East Java, this food is more popularly known as originating from Kulon Progo. It has even been the specialty of the area. Tempe is the term for soybean cake while benguk refers to the grains such as lentil and soybean.

Benguk plant is a certain climbing vine such as lentil or string bean. This vine does need much water. It can grow in almost any place in lowland or upland, such as through bamboo fences, at the side of a stream, at dikes, or on the valley which probably has minimum level of soil fertility. In countryside, this kind of plant is not usually cultivated intensively. It is planted only as a variation or just to fill an empty land.

The seeds of Benguk are rather oval and thin, usually grey or a bit blackish. These seeds can be made into tempe benguk through the same process as the making of tempe kedelai.

B. Features

The specialty of tempe benguk will turn up after it is perfectly cooked. It will taste unique in the mouth with the distinguished taste of benguk seeds combined with a strong smell of spices which are surely be so inviting your appetite. Soft but a bit crunchy outside, piquant, and some sweet taste are really good. Tempe benguk will taste even more delicious with geblek (another special food of Kulon Progo) while warm, and served with a glass of hot tea.

Besides being fried, tempe benguk can also be made besengek. The additional ingredients are brown sugar, garlic, shallot, galangal, ginger, salt, coriander, betel leaf, thin coconut milk, thick coconut milk, and bay leaf. First of all, tempe benguk is cooked with water. As the water is boiling, just take the tempe, wash it with water, then boil it again with the thin coconut milk while pouring the spices which have been ground before. When the thin coconut milk is almost dried up, pour the thick one and leave it for 3-4 hours. Besengek tempe benguk is in fact another special food of Kulonprogo Regency.

C. Location

You can find tempe benguk in traditional markets in Kulon Progo, like in Wates Market, for instance. To get there is easy because the market lies at the center of the town. Besides, tempe benguk can also be found in Bejaten Village, where you can buy them directly from the makers. Other than those places, tempe benguk is usually sold also in Nanggulan Market or Bendungan Market.

D. Prices

Tempe benguk is a very affordable food because each pack (it is covered with banana leaf) is sold at Rp 500.

Text: Andreas Eko Wahyu S.
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 2988 time(s).

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