Ayam Buah Keluak is one of the crown jewels of Peranakan cuisine — rich, earthy, and deeply comforting. At Nyonyalite, we are always amazed at how every family has their own special way of preparing this beloved dish. Many of you have shared your personal touches with us, showing just how much love and creativity goes into making authentic nyonya food at home.

Using our buah keluak paste as your base already saves you hours in the kitchen, but with a few extra tips from our wonderful customers, you can make your ayam buah keluak even more unforgettable.

Here are some brilliant ideas from the Nyonyalite community:

1. Add Asam (Tamarind) for a Tangy Kick

This is the most common advice we hear from our customers!

If you love a little extra punch in your ayam buah keluak, adding asam (tamarind paste) is a simple but powerful trick. Tamarind brings a bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the sauce, giving the dish a refreshing sourness that really lifts all the deep, earthy notes.

➡️ Tip: Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your liking.

2. Freshen Up with Kaffir Lime Leaves

Some customers recommend adding kaffir lime leaves while simmering the dish. These leaves do wonders — they neutralize the “chicken smell” that can sometimes be strong, especially when using kampung chicken. Plus, they infuse the dish with a fresh, citrusy fragrance that beautifully complements the buah keluak's rich flavor.

➡️ Tip: Tear the leaves slightly before adding them to release the natural oils.

3. Build Aroma with Lemongrass

Another amazing addition is lemongrass. Lightly bruised lemongrass stalks release a soft, herbal aroma that brightens up the heavier flavors of ayam buah keluak. It balances the dish and adds a gentle, lemony freshness that lingers without overpowering.

➡️ Tip: Smash the stalk lightly and simmer it whole for easy removal later.

4. Marinate Your Chicken Overnight for Maximum Flavor

A clever tip from our customers: use two packs of buah keluak paste!

• Use one pack to marinate 800g of chicken overnight in the fridge.

• Use the second pack to cook the dish the next day.

Marinating the chicken first allows the deep, nutty buah keluak flavors to infuse fully into the meat. When you cook it, every bite will be bursting with flavor inside and out — not just coated on the surface.

➡️ Tip: Overnight marination makes all the difference for juicy, flavorful chicken!

5. Add a Touch of Gula Melaka

A small piece of gula melaka (palm sugar) can give your ayam buah keluak a richer, rounder sweetness. It softens the slight bitterness of the buah keluak and creates a beautiful balance in the gravy.

8. Toss in Some Roasted Nuts

Want a little surprise in every bite? Some customers add roasted cashews or peanuts just before serving. The crunchy texture adds an exciting contrast to the rich, thick sauce.

9. Use Duck for a Deeper Flavor

Switch things up by using duck instead of chicken! Duck’s rich, fatty meat soaks up the buah keluak flavors beautifully, resulting in an even more decadent, restaurant-worthy dish.

10. Use Pork Belly for a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Experience

For a real treat, use chunks of pork belly instead of chicken. The pork belly's layers of fat and meat soak up the gravy and slowly melt during cooking, making the sauce even more luscious and flavorful. Each tender piece becomes a little explosion of buah keluak goodness.

➡️ Tip: Blanch pork belly first to remove impurities for a cleaner taste.

11. Spice It Up with Cili Padi

For spice lovers, tossing in a few cili padi (bird’s eye chilies) is a must. Cili padi doesn't just make the dish spicier — it sharpens and lifts the entire flavor profile, making every mouthful even more thrilling.

➡️ Tip: If you're unsure about the heat, add the chilies whole first. Slice them up if you want it fiery hot!

Final Thoughts

There’s no one "correct" way to cook ayam buah keluak — that's the heart of true nyonya food and Peranakan cuisine. It’s about the memories, the traditions, and the little twists every family brings to the table. ❤️

Whether you're a purist or love experimenting with new flavors, using Nyonyalite’s buah keluak paste makes it easy to recreate the magic of your family’s kitchen, while still adding your personal touch.

Thank you for letting us be part of your cooking journey!
Got a secret ingredient or tip you swear by? We’d love to hear it — and maybe feature it next time!