Rojak

Name: Rojak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Malaysian
Ingredients: 1 jicama (bangkuang), julienned; 1/2 pineapple, cubed; 1 cucumber, cubed; 1 green mango, julienned; 4 pieces fried tofu (tauhu), cubed; 4 pieces you tiao (fried dough fritters), sliced; 100g bean sprouts, blanched; Dressing: 3 tbsp dark sweet shrimp paste (hae ko); 2 tbsp tamarind juice; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 red chili, minced; 1 tbsp lime juice; 100g roasted peanuts, crushed; Sesame seeds

Rojak (ROH-jak)

Fruit and Vegetable Salad with Shrimp Paste Dressing

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 292 kcal

A wild, eclectic salad of crunchy fruits and vegetables — jicama, pineapple, cucumber, fried tofu, and dough fritters — drenched in a thick, dark, sweet-spicy shrimp paste dressing and showered with crushed peanuts.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 38.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ peanuts ⚠ shellfish ⚠ gluten ⚠ soy

Equipment Needed

mortar and pestle large mixing bowl serving plate

Presentation Guide

Vessel: flat plate or banana leaf

Garnishes: crushed peanuts, sesame seeds

Accompaniments: extra dressing on the side

Ingredients

1 jicama (bangkuang), julienned
1/2 pineapple, cubed
1 cucumber, cubed
1 green mango, julienned
4 pieces fried tofu (tauhu), cubed
4 pieces you tiao (fried dough fritters), sliced
100g bean sprouts, blanched
Dressing: 3 tbsp dark sweet shrimp paste (hae ko)
2 tbsp tamarind juice
2 tbsp sugar
1 red chili, minced
1 tbsp lime juice
100g roasted peanuts, crushed
Sesame seeds

Instructions

1
Prepare the dressing: mix dark shrimp paste (hae ko), tamarind juice, sugar, minced chili, and lime juice until smooth.
2
Cut all fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Slice fried tofu and you tiao.
3
Blanch bean sprouts briefly, then drain.
4
Combine all fruits, vegetables, tofu, you tiao, and bean sprouts in a large bowl.
5
Pour the dressing over and toss thoroughly until everything is well coated.
6
Transfer to a serving plate, shower with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

💡

Did You Know?

The word "rojak" has entered Malaysian English as slang meaning "a mix of everything" — Malaysians call their multicultural society "rojak nation" with pride.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

mortar and pestle
large mixing bowl
serving plate

Garnishing

crushed peanuts, sesame seeds

Accompaniments

extra dressing on the side

The Story Behind Rojak

Rojak embodies the spirit of Malaysian multiculturalism — a dish that mixes Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous ingredients into one harmonious bowl. The name itself, meaning "mixture" in Malay, has become a metaphor for Malaysia's multiethnic society. The dark shrimp paste dressing (hae ko) is a uniquely Penang specialty, while each state and each vendor has their own combination of fruits and vegetables. Rojak is the edible proof that diversity creates something greater than its parts.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed afternoon snack, night market favorite 📜 Origins: Malay-Chinese fusion, centuries old

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!