English Reference

Word

tempe

Phoneticstempe

/ˈtɛmpi/

Definition

n. a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It has a firm texture and a nutty flavor, and it is often used as a meat substitute.

n. a fermented soy product originating from Indonesia, produced by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form. It is distinguished from tofu by its whole-bean texture and higher protein and fiber content.

Examples

“I like to fry tempe until it is crispy.”

“Many vegetarians use tempe as a protein-rich alternative to meat in stir-fries and salads because of its firm, chewy texture.”

“While tofu is made from coagulated soy milk, tempe utilizes the whole bean and a specific fungal starter, resulting in a more complex nutritional profile and a distinctively earthy aroma.”

Examples

simple

“I like to fry tempe until it is crispy.”

contextual

“Many vegetarians use tempe as a protein-rich alternative to meat in stir-fries and salads because of its firm, chewy texture.”

complex

“While tofu is made from coagulated soy milk, tempe utilizes the whole bean and a specific fungal starter, resulting in a more complex nutritional profile and a distinctively earthy aroma.”

Usage

Often treated as uncountable when referring to the food substance, though it can be countable when referring to individual cakes or varieties.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/tempe

English Reference