Ayam Masak Merah

Name: Ayam Masak Merah
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 5 servings
Cuisine: Bruneian
Ingredients: 1kg chicken pieces; 400g canned tomatoes, blended; 6 shallots; 4 cloves garlic; 5 dried chillies, soaked; 3 tbsp chilli paste; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 star anise; 3 cardamom pods; 200ml coconut milk; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp sugar; Salt to taste; Oil for frying

Ayam Masak Merah (AH-yahm MAH-sahk MEH-rah)

Chicken in Red Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 25 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 376 kcal

Fried chicken pieces simmered in a vibrant, slightly sweet tomato and chilli sauce spiced with cinnamon and star anise, a staple at Bruneian celebrations.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 12.0g

Fat 24.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

wok blender deep frying pan

Presentation Guide

Vessel: oval serving platter

Garnishes: sliced red chillies, coriander leaves

Accompaniments: steamed rice, acar

Ingredients

1kg chicken pieces
400g canned tomatoes, blended
6 shallots
4 cloves garlic
5 dried chillies, soaked
3 tbsp chilli paste
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
3 cardamom pods
200ml coconut milk
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp sugar
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Instructions

1
Season chicken with salt and turmeric. Deep fry until golden, then set aside.
2
Blend shallots, garlic, and soaked chillies into a paste.
3
Fry the paste with cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom until fragrant.
4
Add chilli paste and tomato paste, cook for 3 minutes.
5
Pour in blended tomatoes and coconut milk. Simmer 15 minutes.
6
Add fried chicken pieces, stir to coat, and simmer 10 more minutes until sauce thickens. Adjust sugar and salt.

💡

Did You Know?

The name translates to "chicken cooked red" and the dish gets its striking color from the combination of tomatoes, chilli paste, and careful frying of the spice paste.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

wok
blender
deep frying pan

Garnishing

sliced red chillies, coriander leaves

Accompaniments

steamed rice, acar

The Story Behind Ayam Masak Merah

Ayam Masak Merah is a festive staple found at every Bruneian kenduri (feast) and wedding celebration. The dish showcases the Malay cooking technique of building complex sauce flavors through slow frying of spice pastes, a method refined over centuries in the royal kitchens of the sultanate.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, dinner, celebrations 📜 Origins: Malay traditional

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