Step 1

Pick a sweetener. White granulated sugar lacks the depth of flavor needed for this recipe, so your best choices are brown sugar, palm sugar, or molasses.Palm sugar (also called Indonesian palm sugar, gula jawa, or gula merah) is the most authentic but it is harder to find in standard grocery stores. This is the preferred option if you're able to find it, and you can use it in either granulated or liquid form.Brown sugar and molasses are both good substitutes for palm sugar, so you should use whichever you prefer or have available. You can even mix-and-match by adding 1/2 cup (125 ml) brown sugar and 1/2 cup (125 ml) molasses.

Step 2

Consider some different seasoning options. You can create a flavor similar to the taste of real kecap manis by using nothing but soy sauce, sugar, and water, but using additional seasonings can enhance the flavor and make it even more authentic.Note that this recipe recommends a combination of ginger (or galangal root), garlic, and star anise.Other spice options can include fresh curry leaves, cinnamon, and red chili pepper.

Step 3

Prepare your desired seasoning ingredients. The ginger must be peeled and grated. The garlic should be minced or crushed.Use a vegetable peeler to shave the skin off the ginger or galangal root. After peeling the vegetable, drag it across the surface of a box grater to tear it into large shreds.Alternatively, you can cut the ginger or galangal root into discs that are 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.Quickly smash the garlic clove with a cutting board or the side of a broad kitchen knife. Remove the loosened skin and use the crushed garlic as it is or mince it with a sharp, smooth knife.

Step 4

Prepare a bowl of ice water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and drop four to six ice cubes inside. Set this bowl of ice water aside until later.Note that this step is only necessary if you plan on using the stovetop cooking method. You do not need to prepare any ice water if you plan on making the kecap manis in your microwave.Select a bowl that is large enough to hold the saucepan you'll be using if you plan on using the stovetop cooking method instead of the microwave cooking method.Only fill the bowl halfway with water and ice. Do not fill it to the top.Keep the bowl near your stove as you proceed.