What can I use instead of Kecap manis?

Soy sauce + molasses: 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp molasses, warmed. Soy sauce + honey + a pinch of five-spice: 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp honey.

What changes when you substitute Kecap manis?

Slightly less aromatic. Lighter color.

Substitute for Kecap manis

What it does in a recipe: Thick, molasses-sweet Indonesian soy sauce: nasi goreng's soul.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Soy sauce + molasses

per 1/4 cup kecap manis

US3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp molasses, warmed

Metric45 ml soy sauce + 20 g molasses

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeVeganContains glutenContains soy

Rebuilds the thick, dark sweetness.

What changes: Slightly less aromatic

Soy sauce + honey + a pinch of five-spice

per 1/4 cup kecap manis

US3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp honey

Metric45 ml + 20 g

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeContains glutenContains soy

Glossier and lighter in color.

What changes: Lighter color

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Kecap manis?: Soy sauce + molasses: 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp molasses, warmed. Soy sauce + honey + a pinch of five-spice: 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp honey.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Kecap manis?: Soy sauce + molasses (per 1/4 cup kecap manis) — US: 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 Tbsp molasses, warmed. Metric: 45 ml soy sauce + 20 g molasses.
What changes when you substitute Kecap manis?: Slightly less aromatic. Lighter color.

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