Indonesian cuisine is world-famous for its bold, aromatic, sweet-savory flavours — and at the heart of many of these dishes is one essential ingredient: Indonesian soy sauce, also known as kecap.
Whether you’re cooking nasi goreng, mee goreng, satay, ayam kecap, or simply elevating your daily stir-fries, the right soy sauce makes all the difference.
At Golden Buffalo, we stock New Zealand’s favourite range of authentic Indonesian-style soy sauces, including:
This guide will help you understand the unique flavours of each sauce and how to use them to bring restaurant-quality Indonesian dishes to your own kitchen.
🥢 What Makes Indonesian Soy Sauce Different?
Unlike standard soy sauces used in Chinese or Japanese cooking, Indonesian soy sauces are richer and more aromatic — especially kecap manis, which is sweetened with palm sugar. The result is a glossy, syrup-like sauce that adds both colour and complex flavour.
There are two main types:
1. Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce)
Thick, sweet, caramel-like, and deeply aromatic.
Best for:
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Nasi goreng
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Satay marinade
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Mee goreng
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Glazing grilled chicken or tofu
2. Kecap Asin (Salty Soy Sauce)
A thin, salty, umami-packed seasoning similar to Chinese light soy sauce but with Indonesian aromatics.
Best for:
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Soups
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Stir-fries
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Daily seasoning
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Balancing out sweetness from kecap manis
⭐ Top Indonesian Soy Sauces at Golden Buffalo
🟤 ABC Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis)
The #1 kecap manis in Indonesia — rich, glossy, and iconic.
ABC Sweet Soy Sauce is famous for its thick texture and deep caramel sweetness. If you’ve eaten Indonesian food at restaurants, you’ve almost certainly tasted ABC.
Perfect for:
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Nasi goreng
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Satay dipping sauce
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Glazing BBQ meat
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Fried noodles and tempeh
Its flavour is bold, aromatic, and instantly recognisable — a must-have pantry staple.
👉 Available at Golden Buffalo
🟤 Habhal’s Sweet Soy Sauce
Balanced sweetness with a smoother, less intense profile.
Habhal’s Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis) is Malaysian-made but inspired by authentic Indonesian flavours. It’s slightly less sweet and a bit thinner than ABC, making it ideal for cooks who prefer balance.
Great for:
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Mee goreng
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Stir-fried beef or chicken
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Everyday home cooking
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Marinades requiring less stickiness
A versatile option that suits families and daily meals.
🟤 Habhal’s Salty Soy Sauce (Kecap Asin)
A savoury, aromatic seasoning perfect for soups and stir-fries.
Habhal’s Kecap Asin is the salty counterpart to sweet soy sauce — thin, flavourful, and ideal for seasoning.
Perfect for:
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Soto and bakso soups
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Stir-fried veggies
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Seafood dishes
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Dipping sauces with chilli and garlic
It's excellent when paired with a sweet kecap manis to create Indonesia’s beloved sweet-salty flavour balance.
🟤 Jalen Sweet Soy Sauce
A smooth, budget-friendly kecap manis for everyday use.
Jalen Sweet Soy Sauce has a lighter sweetness than ABC, making it approachable for families and home cooks who prefer a mellow profile.
Recommended for:
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Daily fried rice and noodle dishes
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Marinades
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Quick stir-fries
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Kids’ meals or milder recipes
It offers great value with reliable flavour.
🟤 Jalen Premium Soy Sauce
Deep, savoury, aromatic — perfect for cooks who love bold flavour.
Jalen Premium Soy Sauce is richer and more umami-forward than regular Jalen soy sauce, making it ideal for savoury dishes and high-heat cooking.
Best uses:
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Braises
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Savoury noodle broths
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Stir-fries
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Indonesian-style gravies
It pairs beautifully with Jalen Sweet Soy Sauce for layered flavour.
🍳 Easy Ways to Use Indonesian Soy Sauce at Home
Here are quick recipe ideas using the soy sauces available at Golden Buffalo:
1. Classic Nasi Goreng
Use: ABC Sweet Soy Sauce + Habhal’s Salty Soy Sauce
A perfect sweet-salty blend for smoky, aromatic fried rice.
2. Sweet Soy Chicken (Ayam Kecap)
Use: Jalen Sweet Soy Sauce
Caramelises beautifully for tender, glossy chicken.
3. Mee Goreng Mamak
Use: Habhal’s Sweet Soy Sauce + Jalen Premium Soy Sauce
Complex flavour, perfect for Malaysian-style noodles.
4. Satay Dipping Sauce
Use: ABC Sweet Soy Sauce
Mix with peanut butter, lime, and garlic for an easy satay sauce.
🛒 Shop Authentic Indonesian Soy Sauces at Golden Buffalo
Golden Buffalo proudly offers a wide range of Indonesian and Southeast Asian sauces, including:
✔ ABC Sweet Soy Sauce
✔ Habhal’s Sweet & Salty Soy Sauce
✔ Jalen Sweet Soy Sauce
✔ Jalen Premium Soy Sauce
Perfect for home cooks, food lovers, and anyone wanting to recreate authentic Asian flavours in New Zealand.
Browse the full collection on goldenbuffalo.co.nz.
