Buah Keluak
Buah Keluak - image taken from eatingasia.typepad.com
“Buah keluak” is a black nut originating from Indonesia, more famously known for the wonderful aroma in one of the Peranakan‘s most famous dishes – the ayam buah keluak.
Peranakan Chicken with Buah Keluak - image taken from umami.typepad.com
It is a dish that requires arduous work, from soaking the nuts, to cracking it open, grinding it into a paste and stuffing it back into the shell, then stewing and slow-cooking the meat until it is fall-off-the-bone tender. It is a labour of love for the ones you cook it for.
The dish, like durian although much milder and less of a shocker to unsuspecting tastebuds, is also an acquired taste; some find it aromatic, others pungent, and there’s those who sit on the fence. I fall into the category of those who “like it”, and I like it very much.
The Jman’s grand-aunt in Singapore makes a fantastic rendition of it, and I had the pleasure of having a little bowl to myself during my trip back to Singapore in December.
I’m now trying to find the nut in Melbourne in the hopes that I can get the Jman’s grandma to teach me how to make this dish, since she herself is a true-blue Nyonya (who makes a real kickass beef rendang, if I may add). Now that leaves me to beg the question: does anyone know where I can find buah keluak in Melbourne?
March 27, 2009 at 8:53 am
just tried mix at clayton
unfortunately they were out and next shipment will be in a month’s time
March 27, 2009 at 8:56 am
Thanks for the heads up, Raymond! I’ll definitely be there to check them out! I wonder if Laguna in the city would stock any since it’s an Indonesian supermarket as well. I’ll be checking that out too.
July 27, 2009 at 12:12 am
Hi! I’m in Melbourne too and have to looking high and low for buah kelauk. Haven’t cooked this in ages since I left Singapore. Do tell me if you managed to find it and where I can buy it too!
Cheers,
Gerald
August 5, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hi Gerald, I’m sorry I took this long to reply.
I’ve not seen the nut in itself but I have seen a packet of pre-packed buah keluak paste under the guise of “buah kluwak” at the Asian grocers in QV (Laguna). You can check it out there. Otherwise you could try “Mix” at Clayton as recommended by raymond in his comment above. Good luck!
August 24, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hi I am also in Melbourne and have been trying to get my hands on them for a long time….
Please if anyone of you do find them let me know…..
January 19, 2010 at 8:28 am
[...] it’s edible, someone has probably blogged about it, and the obscure butter Indonesian nut, Bua Kuleak (also spelled Buah Keluak) is no [...]
February 14, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Does anyone know where we can find it in Perth?
March 3, 2010 at 9:53 am
I’ve heard that it’s available in Footscray.
December 13, 2011 at 6:31 am
Reignite this post. Has anyone found the nut yet? I’m on a mission to cook this dish soon.
February 23, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Buak kluwak is a delicious to cook meat or chicken but you must cook careully because if too much the taste will not delicious
April 9, 2012 at 7:53 pm
hi. where can I get buah keluak? I went to Mix in Clayton. Cant find it