Recipe for making crispy and appetizing Padang-style barendo eggs ala Chef Devina Hermawan

foto: YouTube/Chef Devina Hermawan

Barendo eggs or talua barendo have a thick and light texture, layered like lace, which makes anyone want to try it.

Padang cuisine is famous for its rich rendang and gulai, but don't miss out on the barendo eggs, one of the unique and tempting specialties. Barendo eggs or talua barendo have a thick and light texture, layered like lace, which makes anyone want to try it again and again.

Chef Devina Hermawan once shared a secret recipe for barendo eggs on her YouTube channel on March 3, 2025. The trick to cooking these eggs is actually simple, but the results are extraordinary. Come on, try following these steps so you can present crispy and delicious barendo eggs at home.

Materials that need to be prepared

- 3 chicken eggs
- 3 cloves of shallot, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon chicken stock powder
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Complement:
- Warm white rice
- Fresh cucumber
- Rendang seasoning (optional, to add a distinctive Padang taste)

How to Make Crispy and Layered Barendo Eggs

1. Mix cornstarch, water, and eggs in a bowl, stir until evenly mixed. Cornstarch serves to give a crispy texture and a thin layer that is typical of barendo eggs.
2. Add the chicken stock powder and sliced shallots into the egg mixture, then beat again until all ingredients are perfectly mixed.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture slowly while stirring to form a thin layer and a curly texture like lace. Cook until golden brown.
4. Once cooked, drain the eggs on oil paper or kitchen towel to reduce excess oil.
5. For healthier and crispy results, put the eggs in the airfryer for 5 minutes at 180C. This trick helps reduce oil while maintaining the crispiness of the barendo eggs.

Ideally, barendo eggs are fried in a lot of hot oil so that the edges are curly and the inside remains soft. However, if oil is limited, there is a trick from TikTok creator @cheche_kitchen that you can try.

How to Drain Oil and Fry with a Little Oil:
- Use a traditional concave pan so the oil collects in the center.
- Heat the oil until it is really hot and steaming.
- Sprinkle one teaspoon of flour (wheat, cornstarch, or instant flour) into the hot oil, then wait until the oil is hot again.
- Pour the egg mixture from a high position to form a natural curly texture.
- Gently stir from the sides of the pan to the center so that the bottom cooks and crisps without deflating the egg.
- Make sure to keep stirring until the curly texture looks perfect.

This trick keeps the barendo eggs crispy even with a little oil, while saving ingredients without sacrificing taste.

The texture of the barendo egg is layered like lace and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, making it different from ordinary fried eggs. The combination of shallots and chicken stock powder adds the right aroma and savory taste, perfect to be eaten with white rice and fresh cucumber. If you like the rich taste of Padang, adding rendang spices as a complement can be the right choice.

Additional Tips for Making Perfect Barendo Eggs

- Use fresh chicken eggs so that the egg texture is lighter and does not smell fishy.
- Do not stir too often when frying so that the curly layer is formed perfectly.
- Heat the oil properly, not too hot or not hot enough so that the eggs cook evenly and do not absorb too much oil.
- If you want variation, try adding a few slices of cayenne pepper for a tempting spicy sensation.

1. What is the function of cornstarch in barendo egg mixture?

Cornstarch provides a crunchy texture and a thin layer that makes the barendo eggs layered like lace. In addition, cornstarch helps the dough not easily fall apart when fried.

2. Can you use wheat flour instead of cornstarch?

Yes, but the resulting texture will be slightly different. Cornstarch is lighter and crispier, while wheat flour tends to produce a denser texture.

3. Why do you have to stir eggs when frying?

Stirring gently helps to form a thin, curly layer on the barendo egg, giving it a unique, crunchy texture.

4. Can barendo eggs be made without shallots?

Yes, but shallots add a distinctive aroma and savory flavor. If you don't like them, you can replace them with garlic or other spices to taste.

5. How do you store barendo eggs so they stay crispy?

Store the barendo eggs in an airtight container once they have completely cooled. Avoid storing them in regular plastic as it can make the texture soft.

(brl/red)