Getting to Know Cakwe, Indonesia’s Popular Fried Snack

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - If you enjoy fried snacks, you may already be familiar with cakwe. This long, hollow snack is quite popular in Indonesia, with a crispy texture on the outside and a soft, light texture inside.

Cakwe comes from Chinese culinary tradition and is known as youtiao. It was later introduced to various parts of the world, including Indonesia, where it became a popular and widely available snack.

Cakwe is made from a dough of wheat flour, water, yeast, and a little salt. The dough is fermented before being shaped into long pieces and fried in hot oil until it puffs up.

This process gives cakwe its distinctive shape, with a hollow center. When bitten, the outside is crispy, while the inside has a softer and lighter texture.

The classic version is enjoyed with congee or warm soy milk. In Huzhou, there is also an interesting variation called Youtiao Glutinous Rice Cake, in which youtiao is wrapped in sweet sticky rice and topped with sesame seeds, creating a unique sweet and savory combination.

In Indonesia, cakwe is served in various ways. It can be enjoyed with sweet and sour sauce, chili sauce, or as an accompaniment to a chicken porridge.

Some people also make variations of cakwe with fillings such as chicken or vegetables. These variations offer different flavors to suit local tastes.

With its simple shape and variety of serving options, cakwe remains easy to find in many parts of Indonesia. It can be enjoyed as a snack or as an accompaniment to other dishes.