Kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)

kecap manis

Flavor and role

An Indonesian soy sauce sweetened with palm sugar until thick and syrupy like honey. It adds sweetness, saltiness and gloss all at once.

Typical dishes and uses

Nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay sauce, ayam bakar

Substitutes

1 tbsp kecap manis = 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tbsp dark brown sugar (or palm sugar), melted over low heat and lightly reduced.

Storage

Unopened: 2 years at room temperature. Opened: 1 year in a cool place or the fridge.

Main countries

Indonesia · Malaysia

Used in this book

Nasi GorengBakso (Indonesian Beef Meatball Soup)Gado-GadoMee Goreng MamakChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Ayam Goreng Popcorn Chicken with Kecap Manis Butter GlazeBeef Shank Broth BaksoCheese-Stuffed Bakso Bakar SkewersHawker-Style Black Chai Tow Kway with Dried Shrimp Radish CakeChai Tow Kway Radish Cake Fries with Sambal MayoGado-Gado Rice Paper RollsCrispy Smashed Potato Gado-Gado PlatterSeafood Mee Goreng Mamak with Homemade Chili PasteMee Goreng Yaki Udon with Bonito and MayoMee Goreng Cheese Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Lime DipNasi Goreng Spesial with Prawns and Crispy ShallotsKimchi Nasi GorengCrispy Nasi Goreng Rice BitesRawon Beef Sliders with Salted Egg Mayo and Sprout SlawCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesSatay Chicken Rice Bowl with Crispy Shallots

Updated 2026-10-10