Indonesian
Terong Balado (Spicy Fried Eggplant)
Soft fried eggplant smothered in a sweet-spicy shallot-chilli sambal — a bold Indonesian side in 25 minutes.
About this recipe
Terong Balado (Spicy Fried Eggplant) is a indonesian lunch for 2 that is a fast, high-heat stir-fry — have everything chopped before the wok gets hot. It’s built around egg, and it takes around 25 min start to finish. We sized it for a small household and ranked it on OneToCook by how much of it you already have in the fridge.
Good to know
* Dietary flags are derived from the listed ingredients — always check labels and your own needs for allergens.
Ingredients
- 2 eggplant
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tomato
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 shallot buy
- 4 red chilli buy
- 1 tsp tamarind buy
Equipment
Method
- 1
Cut the eggplant into wedges and shallow-fry until golden and soft; drain.
~8 min
- 2
Chop shallot, garlic, chilli and tomato; fry into a thick sambal, 6 min.
~7 min
- 3
Season with tamarind, sugar and salt; fold the eggplant through to coat.
~3 min
Smart swaps
Out of something? Try one of these.
- Shallots
- half a small red onion — milder, but close.
- Garlic
- garlic powder (¼ tsp per clove) at a push.
Cook's notes
- Smash each clove with the flat of your knife first — the skin slips off and it minces in seconds. How to mince garlic →
- Deseed the chilli for less heat, and wash your hands (or wear a glove) before touching your eyes. How to prep chilli →
Storage & leftovers
Cool, then store airtight in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout; add a splash of water if it has dried out.
Frequently asked
How long does Terong Balado (Spicy Fried Eggplant) take to make? +
Around 25 min from start to finish, almost all of it hands-on.
How many people does this recipe serve? +
As written it serves 2. To cook for 4, roughly multiply the ingredients — but cook in batches if the pan gets crowded, so things sear instead of steaming.
What equipment do I need? +
You’ll want: induction hob, frying pan / wok. OneToCook only suggests recipes that fit the equipment you tell it you have, so you can filter these out if your kitchen is more minimal.
What can I use if I'm missing an ingredient? +
Common swaps for this dish: Shallots → half a small red onion — milder, but close; Garlic → garlic powder (¼ tsp per clove) at a push. See the full list of smart swaps above.
Can I make Terong Balado (Spicy Fried Eggplant) ahead of time? +
Cool, then store airtight in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout; add a splash of water if it has dried out.
More Indonesian recipes
Indonesian
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Sweet-savoury fried rice with kecap manis and a fried egg — Indonesia's national comfort dish in 15 min.
Indonesian
Indomie-Style Mie Goreng
Stir-fried instant noodles done right — egg, greens and a sweet-savoury glaze in under 10 minutes.
Indonesian
Telur Balado (Eggs in Chilli Sauce)
Boiled eggs in a punchy red chilli-tomato sambal — big flavour, cheap, freezer-pantry friendly.