Asinan facts for kids
Asinan Betawi topped with yellow kerupuk mie
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| Course | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Jakarta and West Java |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Various vegetables or fruits in hot, sour and sweet sauce |
Asinan is a super yummy Indonesian dish made from vegetables or fruits that have been "pickled." This means they are preserved by soaking them in salty water (called "brine") or vinegar. The word asinan comes from the Indonesian word asin, which means "salty."
Asinan is a bit like another Indonesian dish called rujak. The main difference is that rujak is usually made with fresh ingredients, while asinan uses preserved vegetables or fruits. You can find asinan in restaurants, small food stalls called warungs, and even from street vendors who travel around.
There are many kinds of asinan in Indonesia, but two of the most famous are asinan Betawi and asinan Bogor.
Contents
What is Asinan?
Asinan is a fresh and tangy snack or side dish. It's known for its mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The preserving process gives the vegetables and fruits a unique texture and taste.
Types of Asinan
There are two main types of asinan: those made with vegetables and those made with fruits.
Asinan Betawi
Asinan Betawi is a vegetable asinan from the Betawi people in Jakarta. It's made with preserved Chinese cabbage, regular cabbage, bean sprouts, tofu, and lettuce. These ingredients are served in a thin, hot, and slightly sweet peanut sauce that also has vinegar. It's often topped with crunchy peanuts and krupuk (which are like crispy crackers), especially a yellow kind called krupuk mie.
Asinan Bogor
Asinan Bogor is a fruit asinan from the city of Bogor in West Java. It uses preserved tropical fruits like raw mango, water apples, papaya, ambarella, jicama, nutmeg, and pineapple. These fruits are served in a sweet, hot, and sour sauce made with vinegar and chili. It's usually sprinkled with peanuts for extra crunch.
Ingredients in Asinan
The ingredients for asinan sayur (vegetable asinan) often include cabbage, cucumber, and salt. The cabbage is salted, but for a shorter time than in dishes like kimchi. Other common ingredients are bean sprouts, chili, and terasi, which adds a savory flavor.
Where to Find Asinan
You can enjoy asinan in many places across Indonesia. It's a popular snack or light meal. Look for it in local markets, food courts, and from street vendors who often carry their delicious asinan in big jars or containers.
See also
In Spanish: Asinan para niños
