How Do You Spell KECAP MANIS?

Pronunciation: [kˈɛkap mˈaniz] (IPA)

The spelling of "kecap manis" can be confusing due to its Indonesian origin. However, the IPA phonetic transcription can help clarify its pronunciation. "Kecap" is pronounced as "kə-tʃap," with the "ke" sounding like "kuh" and the "cap" sounding like "chap." "Manis" is pronounced as "mɑ-nis," with the "ma" sounding like "mah" and the "nis" sounding like "neese." Together, "kecap manis" is pronounced as "kə-tʃap ma-nis," a sweet soy sauce commonly used in Indonesian cuisine.

KECAP MANIS Meaning and Definition

1. Kecap manis is a type of sweet soy sauce that originated in Indonesia. The term "kecap" means soy sauce, while "manis" translates to sweet in the Indonesian language. It is an essential condiment in Indonesian cuisine and is widely used in various dishes to add a unique sweet and savory flavor.

   Kecap manis is made from fermented soybeans combined with palm sugar and various spices, including garlic, star anise, and ginger. The mixture is slowly simmered until it thickens and develops its distinct sweet taste. The thick texture and dark brown color set it apart from regular soy sauce.

   This sweet soy sauce is used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce, enhancing the flavor of numerous Indonesian dishes. It is commonly used in stir-fries, satay, fried rice, noodles, and grilled meats. Kecap manis adds a rich caramelized flavor to the food and balances the spiciness or saltiness of other ingredients.

   Due to its versatility and unique taste, kecap manis has gained popularity beyond Indonesia and can be found in Asian grocery stores and international cuisines. It provides a delightful blend of sweet and savory elements, giving a distinctive Indonesian touch to various dishes.

   Overall, kecap manis is a flavorful and essential condiment in Indonesian cuisine, enriching the taste of numerous traditional dishes with its sweet and savory profile.

Etymology of KECAP MANIS

The word kecap manis originates from Indonesian and is commonly used to refer to a sweet soy sauce that is popular in Indonesian cuisine.

The term kecap (also spelled ketjap in older Dutch-influenced spelling) derives from the Javanese language, where it means sauce or condiment. The Javanese word kecap itself comes from the Chinese Hokkien dialect word kœ-chiap (meaning the same thing), which was introduced to Indonesia through Chinese trading influence. The Hokkien word has its origins in the Chinese language.

The word manis means sweet in Indonesian, reflecting the characteristic sweet flavor of the sauce. Therefore, kecap manis can be translated as sweet sauce or sweet soy sauce.