Kerak telor is a traditional Indonesian snack made of glutinous rice, mixed with egg yolks, which is then topped with fried shallots, dried shrimp, and serundeng (toasted shredded coconut). For generations, kerak telor has become a favorite snack during festive events, such as weddings, cultural ceremonies, and local festivals. Nowadays, kerak telor has gained popularity not only in Indonesia but also worldwide. With the increasing demand, starting a kerak telor business could be a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs.
History of Kerak Telor
The history of kerak telor can be traced back to the early 1700s when Jakarta was named Batavia and was ruled by the Dutch colonial government. Back then, kerak telor was a snack for the common people as it was cheap and easy to make. The snack became increasingly popular during the Chinese New Year celebrations where it served as a digestive after heavy meals. Nowadays, kerak telor has become a favorite snack during major events, such as national holidays, weddings or any cultural celebrations.
Main Ingredients of Kerak Telor
The main ingredients of kerak telor are glutinous rice, eggs, shallots, dried shrimp, and serundeng. Glutinous rice is first soaked for several hours, then slowly cooked over a small charcoal grill. The egg yolks are whisked with spices and coconut milk, then poured onto the rice. The rice is stirred and mixed with egg yolk batter, then finally topped with fried shallots, dried shrimp, and serundeng.
How to Make Kerak Telor
To make kerak telor, you will need the following ingredients:
- 500 grams of glutinous rice
- 10 egg yolks
- 4 shallots, thinly sliced and fried until golden brown
- 50 grams of dried shrimp, soaked and thinly sliced
- 50 grams of serundeng (toasted shredded coconut)
Here are the steps to follow:
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Soak the rice for 6 to 8 hours. Drain the rice and steam for 30 minutes or until cooked.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks until fluffy. Add coconut milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Stir-fry the shallots until golden-brown. Add dried shrimp and continue to stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Over a small charcoal grill or stove, heat a small pan. Add cooked rice and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add the egg yolk batter into the rice while continuously stirring for approximately 5 minutes or until cooked.
- Finally, transfer the kerak telor to a serving plate, sprinkling fried shallots, dried shrimp, and serundeng on top of the rice.
Kerak Telor Business Idea
The popularity of traditional food and street snacks is on the rise. You could capitalize on this trend by starting a kerak telor business. To start, you could begin by running a food stall or kiosk. Kerak telor can be easily prepared, and the ingredients are relatively cheap, making it an excellent profit margin option. Take advantage of online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to get positive reviews and generate loyal customers. You can also start selling through food delivery apps to reach a more extensive target audience.
The Viral Kerak Telor: A Success Story
Kerak telor gained extraordinary media attention in 2019 when a picture of Kerak Telor hit the International media by storm. The photo shows a kerak telor vendor in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, holding up a small bowl of the delicious snack with a sign reading: “The Most Expensive Kerak Telor In The World”. The photo went viral on Facebook and Twitter, turning into a hilarious social media sensation. The photo, which was initially posted as a prank, saw stints on the pages of Reddit, Indiatimes, The Telegraph, and more, where users waxed poetic about its flavor and the vendor’s business tact.
Health Benefits of Kerak Telor
Kerak Telor is a tasty street food with lots of health benefits. It contains a high dose of protein from the egg yolk and dried shrimp, keeps you satiated longer thanks to the glutinous rice, and promotes a healthy gut with the coconut milk. This traditional Indonesian snack is free from preservatives and consists of natural ingredients, making it a good food choice for your health.
Competition in The Kerak Telor Business
Starting a kerak telor business is a lucrative opportunity, but it’s essential to note that the food and restaurant industries are highly competitive. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, you must provide authentic flavors and high-quality service to be unique and attractive to consumers. It’s also an excellent idea to visit that place, observe how other vendors do it – or even to become one of their regular customers, just to understand their system of producing Kerak telor.