cirebon cullinary 
The origin of Empal gentong H. Apud
Empal gentong is a typical dish from Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia, which is famous for its savory taste and distinctive spices. The history of empal gentong began in the 19th century in Cirebon, when it was made by a tofu trader named Haji Apud. He was inspired by the gejrot tofu dish which is popular in the area. However, because gejrot tofu was less popular among non-Muslim communities, Haji Apud then tried to create a new variation that was more liked by everyone. From here, empal gentong was born, which later became one of Cirebon’s culinary icons.
The philosophy of empal gentong reflects cultural diversity and unity in diversity. The mixture of spices used in making empal gentong reflects the richness of Indonesian spices, while the combination of beef and tofu represents the diversity of culture in Indonesia. Apart from that, the way empal gentong is served in a gentong (traditional container) shows tenderness and unity in diversity.
The method for making empal gentong is as follows:
The ingredients needed include pieces of beef, tofu, bay leaves, lemongrass, galangal, ginger, shallots, garlic, coriander, salt, brown sugar, coconut milk and cooking oil.
First of all, boil the beef pieces with ground spices such as bay leaves, lemongrass, galangal, ginger, shallots, garlic and coriander until the meat is tender and the spices are absorbed.
Next, add the tofu pieces to the stew and let the tofu and meat cook together.
Then add the coconut milk to the stew and cook until the spices are absorbed and the sauce thickens.
Serve empal gentong in a barrel or similar container to keep it warm and add a distinctive taste.
Empal gentong is usually served with warm white rice and chili sauce to add flavor. With its distinctive taste and a manufacturing process that combines various elements, empal gentong not only satisfies tastes, but also inspires the diversity of Indonesian culture.
For further information about empal gentong H. Apud that I can provide, click here https://youtu.be/CUzeHdr7qBs?si=hqxwczpwTm-d-I32
Author: Erica Gisella Putri
