Kuluban facts for kids

Kuluban is a super yummy and old-fashioned salad from Central Java, Indonesia. It's made mostly with steamed vegetables and a special dressing from shredded coconut. You can eat Kuluban all by itself as a healthy vegetarian meal. Or, it can be a tasty side dish with your main meal. Did you know Kuluban has been around for a very long time? People were eating it way back in the 9th century CE, during the time of the Medang Mataram!

What's in a Kuluban Salad?

Making Kuluban involves mixing lots of fresh ingredients. The main part is usually steamed vegetables. These can include string beans, young jackfruit, and bean sprouts. Sometimes, you might find special ingredients like petai, which are a type of bean, or even orange leaves for a unique flavor.

The Special Dressing

What makes Kuluban so unique is its amazing dressing. This dressing is made from shredded young coconut. It's mixed with spices like kencur (a type of ginger), terasi (a savory shrimp paste), red pepper, salt, and sugar. This mix gives the salad a rich and slightly spicy taste that goes perfectly with the fresh vegetables.

Adding a Crispy Touch

To make Kuluban even more fun to eat, many recipes suggest adding kerupuk. These are crispy crackers, often made from tapioca or shrimp. Crushing some kerupuk on top adds a wonderful crunch to the soft vegetables and creamy dressing. It's a great way to enjoy different textures in one bite!

Images for kids

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  Kuluban (boiled vegetables) topped with Serundeng (chopped meat). Served room temperature.