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Acar Campur

App exclusive

35 min

Side

Most people might know kimchi as one of the most important side dishes in Korean cuisine. But did you know that Indonesia has a pretty amazing side dish as well? The traditional Indonesian rice table isn't complete without Acar Campur or as the Dutch call it: Atjar Tjampoer. Around here you can find it in any major supermarket, but it's even more delicious when homemade!

Servings

(¼ cup per serving)

Total

35 min

Prep

20 min

Cook

15 min

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

What others say


Bram - May 5, 2025, 1:57 p.m.

It is possible to ferment this (like a kimchi)? Maybe without boiling the vegetables and without the bell pepper?

PUL small logo PUL Team - May 5, 2025, 6:54 p.m.

Hey Bram, super interesting Q! We haven’t tested it ourselves, but we imagine you could definitely ferment an acar campur-style mix with a few tweaks. The original recipe is more of a quick pickle, so it uses vinegar and sugar, which actually prevent natural fermentation. To make a fermented version, you’d want to skip the vinegar and sugar and salt the veggies instead. About 2 percent salt by weight works well. Let them sit to release some liquid, then pack everything tightly into a jar so it stays submerged in its own brine. No need to cook the vegetables first either, they ferment best when raw, and indeed: I'd suggest leaving out the bell pepper since it'll likely get mushy. Ingredients like sambal oelek, mustard, and spices in general might be best added after fermenting since they might interfere with the good bacteria. I suspect with those changes you could end up with something crunchy, tangy, and naturally preserved. Let us know how it goes if you try it! 🤗✨

Bram - May 5, 2025, 9 p.m.

Thanks for your quick reply! A little too late for me because I decided to make my own recipe, based on yours.. 😇
I did add sambal, but I was not really sure about it, because of the salt-level. And i did add one bell pepper as well, maybe not the best choice. 😅
I did add some galangal (laos), ginger and spring onion. Right now the taste is really good, but I’ll let you know in a few weeks how it turned out… 🙈🙈


Rob - March 18, 2025, 8:09 p.m.

Made this at the weekend to have with the nasi goreng recipe in the app and it works so nicely! It's got that nice pickled kick and a warmth from the mustard and the sambal. I don't remember having this when we were travelling in Indonesia, but it was far too many years ago, so I could have forgotten 😂

This makes a big jar, but I don't think it will last long! The smell at first reminded me of piccalilli, but it's mellowed now. Such a lovely side dish!

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 18, 2025, 8:37 p.m.

That sounds delicious, Rob! So glad it paired well with the nasi goreng recipe. It’s funny how certain smells can take us back to travel memories 🥰


Mélissa - Sept. 8, 2024, 6:39 a.m.

So good! Loved it !!!


tany - July 2, 2024, 1:27 p.m.

okaaaay i'm obsessed! i powered through this jar in a short time i'm too embarassed to admit, i was practically just snacking on it. so good!!

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 2, 2024, 3:44 p.m.

We're thrilled to hear you're enjoying the acar campur recipe, Tany! 🫶


Carmen Riera Quintana - Jan. 6, 2024, 1:54 p.m.

Dear friends from the PUL team, how long will this keep in the fridge? Thanks ;)

PUL small logo PUL Team - Jan. 8, 2024, 11:56 p.m.

Hey Carmen, you can store the Acar Campur in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. In case you haven't seen already and it helps in the future, the storage information for recipes on the app can be found at the bottom of the directions tab or at the end of the step-by-step "Make" mode 🙌


Fi - Dec. 25, 2023, 9:34 p.m.

Hi. Could gochujang be used instead of sambal oelek in this recipe?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Dec. 26, 2023, 3:49 p.m.

Hey Fi! Gochujang, a Korean fermented chili paste, can be used as a substitute for sambal oelek in your Indonesian acar kampur recipe, but it will bring a different flavor profile. Gochujang is sweeter, less spicy, and has a more complex, fermented taste compared to the straightforward chili heat of sambal oelek. If you're open to experimenting with flavors, go ahead and try it, but be mindful that it will alter the traditional taste of the dish.


kday - June 3, 2023, 10:32 p.m.

Would it be ok to leave the mustard out?

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 5, 2023, 5:59 a.m.

Hey Kday, the dijon mustard adds a distinct flavour, but the recipe can still be made without it. While the taste will be slightly different the Acar Campur should still be enjoyable 🤗