Name: Vegan Indonesian Tempeh Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Southeast Asia
Ingredients: 1 white onion, chopped; 1 Tbsp / 15 ml fresh ginger, grated; 1 tomato, chopped; 1 Tbsp / 15 g turmeric powder; 1 Tbsp / 15 g coriander seeds; 2 tsp / 10 g cumin seeds; 1 tsp / 5 g tamarind paste; 1 red chilli, chopped; 10 cashew nuts; 2 cloves garlic; 1 lemongrass, trimmed and roughly chopped; 1 Tbsp / 15 g coconut sugar; 2 kaffir lime leaves; 1 lime, juice only; 2 Tbsp / 30 ml vegetable oil; 2 carrots, peeled and shredded; 200 ml / 6.7 fl oz vegetable stock; 400 g / 14 oz tempeh, sliced; 1 red chilli, finely sliced; 1 red pepper, sliced; 200 g / 7 oz tenderstem broccoli, cut in half; 400 ml / 13.5 fl oz coconut milk; 4 spring onions, sliced

Vegan Indonesian Tempeh Curry

Tempe Curry, Sayur Tempe, Indonesian Soy Curry

The essentials, at a glance

Southeast Asia Dinner Lunch Side Dish Dairy-FreePlant-Based

This vibrant plant-based curry blends the nuttiness of fermented tempeh with a complex aromatic paste. It offers a rich, creamy texture thanks to coconut milk and a zesty finish from lime. A hearty and nutritious meal that brings the bold flavours of Southeast Asia to the table.

ProteinProtein 18.0g

FatFat 22.0g

CarbsCarbs 24.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

A Taste of Java: Vegan Tempeh Curry

Andrew T. 1 Nov 2026

From the Blog

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Vegan Indonesian Tempeh Curry · Andrew T.

Tempeh originates from the Javanese region of Indonesia, where fermented soybeans create a dense, nutty protein that stands up beautifully to bold spices. I love how this dish brings a real sense of adventure to the kitchen without being overly complicated to put together.

The secret lies in the bumbu, the aromatic paste. Blending lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and cashew nuts creates a thick, fragrant base that transforms into a luxurious sauce once simmered with coconut milk. Frying the tempeh separately ensures it stays golden and crispy, providing a brilliant textural contrast to the tenderstem broccoli and carrots.

Serving Suggestions

This curry is fantastic served over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or with a side of warm roti. A squeeze of fresh lime just before eating really lifts the richness of the coconut milk and highlights the zesty notes of the paste.