Tekwan

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Tekwan is a traditional fish ball soup. The essential component of the dish are tekwan fish balls, from which the dish derives its name. Usually made with fish paste, tapioca, and flour, they are boiled or fried before being added to the soup. The broth is usually fish or shrimp-based, and mushrooms, dried lily flowers, slices of jicama, garlic, and scallions are subsequently added and served with tekwan. Some varieties of the dish also include vermicelli noodles and other vegetables. The origin of tekwan is believed to be the city of Palembang, located in South Sumatra, from where this delicious soup has spread across the country. It is usually found on the menus of Indonesian restaurants, and it is commonly served at warungs - traditional Indonesian street food stalls. Sambal, the traditional Indonesian chili sauce, is the usual accompaniment to tekwan. Served on the side, it allows the people to adjust the spiciness according to their taste and preference.