What is dadar gulung and where does it come from?

Dadar gulung is a traditional Indonesian rolled crepe, usually green from pandan leaves, filled with sweet grated coconut cooked in palm sugar (called 'unti'). It's a beloved street snack across Java, Sumatra and Malaysia. Our ube version swaps pandan for purple yam to create a deep purple crepe with a hazelnut-vanilla flavor.

What does ube dadar gulung taste like?

Imagine a thin, soft crepe with the gentle vanilla-hazelnut notes of ube wrapped around a creamy, jam-like ube halaya cream. Sweet, rich, slightly tropical from the coconut milk, and incredibly comforting.

Can I use coconut milk instead of regular milk in ube crepe batter?

Yes, full-fat coconut milk is actually traditional and adds a richer flavor. You can also do half coconut milk, half regular milk for a lighter texture.

Why does my ube crepe batter look lumpy?

Ube powder needs to be sifted before mixing. If the batter is lumpy, blend it with a hand blender for 10 seconds or pass it through a fine sieve. Letting it rest 15 minutes also helps the powder hydrate fully.

How do I roll Indonesian dadar gulung crepes without breaking them?

Let the cooked crepes cool slightly before filling. Pipe or spoon a line of filling near one edge, fold the two side edges in first (envelope style), then roll tightly from the filled edge. Cool crepes are more flexible than hot ones.

Can I make ube dadar gulung ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the crepes and refrigerate them stacked between parchment paper for up to 2 days. The filling can also be made 1 day ahead. Assemble just before serving so the crepes stay soft.

What's the best way to serve ube dadar gulung crepes?

Serve them warm so the filling is slightly melty. A drizzle of condensed milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of icing sugar makes them irresistible. They also pair beautifully with an ube latte or hot coconut milk.

How do I make gluten-free ube dadar gulung?

The traditional recipe uses wheat flour. To make it gluten-free, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or use rice flour for a more authentic Southeast Asian texture (rice flour is actually used in some regional Indonesian variations).

Can I make a vegan version of ube dadar gulung?

Yes. Replace the egg with 60ml of extra coconut milk plus 1 tsp of cornstarch, swap butter for coconut oil, and use plant-based milk in the batter. For the filling, swap the sweetened condensed milk for vegan condensed coconut milk (same quantity).

How long does ube dadar gulung last in the fridge?

Assembled crepes keep 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat for 15-20 seconds in the microwave to bring back the melty filling. Cooked unfilled crepes can be frozen for up to 1 month.