Rojak

Telegraph

20-05-2025

A word that translates as 'mixture' in Malay, rojak is so much more than just a salad; it's a medley of tastes and textures, of sweet fruits and salty shrimp. It's divine. Growing up, rojak was a refreshing, cooling treat that we would eagerly await.
Requires cooling time.
Overview
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Serves
3 to 4
Ingredients
For the dressing
3 tbsp tamarind paste
3 tbsp gula melaka palm sugar (or soft dark brown sugar)
1 tbsp light soy sauce, or to taste
1 tbsp traditional Malaysian cooking caramel (available to order online, or use 1 tbsp kecap manis with 1 tbsp palm sugar)
1 small red chilli, finely chopped
1 red bird's eye chilli, finely chopped
1 tsp belacan (fermented shrimp paste), toasted (optional), alternatively miso or fermented bean paste work well too
1 tsp lime juice, or to taste
For the salad
1 small celeriac, peeled
1 cucumber, peeled and deseeded
1 ripe mango, peeled and stoned
1 pineapple, peeled and cored
200g firm tofu, cubed and fried
2 tbsp salted roasted peanuts, chopped, to serve
Method
Step
First, make the dressing. Combine 3 tbsp tamarind paste, 3 tbsp gula melaka palm sugar (or soft dark brown sugar), 1 tbsp light soy sauce and 1 tbsp traditional Malaysian cooking caramel in a small saucepan over a low heat. Cook, stirring continuously, until all the sugar crystals have dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Step
Mix through 1 small red chilli and 1 red bird's eye chilli, both finely chopped, then stir in 1 tsp toasted belacan, if using.
Step
Continue to heat, stirring continuously, until the dressing thickens to a sticky consistency.
Step
Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 tsp lime juice. Taste and adjust the balance of flavours with more soy sauce and lime juice as needed. Leave the dressing to cool.