Orek Tempe: Sweet & Savory Tempeh Strips

Name: Orek Tempe: Sweet & Savory Tempeh Strips
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh tempeh, cut into thin matchsticks or small cubes; 4 tbsp neutral oil; Sauce: 3 tbsp kecap manis; 1 tbsp tamari; 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 shallots, thinly sliced; 2 to 3 fresh red chilies, sliced; 2 bay leaves; ½ tsp salt

June 19, 2026

Orek Tempe: Sweet & Savory Tempeh Strips is a soy-free Indonesian tempeh dish made with fresh, fermented chickpea tempeh instead of soy. A few simple swaps keep it gluten-free, too.

4 servings · About 25 min · Soy-free · Gluten-free option

Why fermented chickpea tempeh

Because our tempeh is cultured from chickpeas rather than soybeans, it brings a mild, savory, nutty base that carries bold flavors well and keeps the whole dish soy-free.

Ingredients

1 lb fresh tempeh, cut into thin matchsticks or small cubes
4 tbsp neutral oil
Sauce: 3 tbsp kecap manis
1 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 shallots, thinly sliced
2 to 3 fresh red chilies, sliced
2 bay leaves
½ tsp salt

Instructions

Cut into matchsticks. Slice block into thin planks (⅛”), cut each into matchstick pieces ½” wide × 1½” long. Maximizes crispiness. Fresh tempeh holds these thin cuts.
Fry tempeh. Oil, wide skillet, medium-high. Single layer batches. Fry 5 to 7 min until golden and crispy at edges. Drain on rack.
Aromatics. Same pan, remaining oil. Fry shallots + garlic medium heat until golden, 3 to 4 min. Add chili + bay leaves, 1 min.
Sauce. Add kecap manis, tamari, palm sugar. Simmer 1 to 2 min until sugar dissolves and sauce glossy.
Combine. Add fried tempeh back in. Toss quickly. Cook 2 to 3 min until sauce absorbed and tempeh sticky and glistening.

Chef note: Served as dry side dish alongside rice. Stores at room temp for hours, actually improves over a day as flavors concentrate.

Make it with

This pairs with Fresh Tempeh. Start from a block of OG Raw Chickpea Tempeh (shop it here). Short on time? Reach for our heat-and-serve 10-Minute Crispy Tempeh Cubes.

Allergen swaps

Kecap manis + tamari → see substitution in Tempe Bacem allergen note.

Frequently asked questions

Is Orek Tempe: Sweet & Savory Tempeh Strips soy-free?

Yes. Our tempeh is fermented from chickpeas, not soybeans, so this recipe is naturally soy-free. Check any packaged sauces or condiments if soy is a strict concern.

How do I make it gluten-free?

The tempeh itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread, tamari, or noodles wherever the recipe calls for the standard version, and confirm any packaged sauces are gluten-free.