Soto Betawi Recipe

Origin: Jakarta, Indonesia | Cooking Time: 2.5 hours | Servings: 4-6

Introduction

Soto Betawi is a rich and creamy beef soup from Jakarta, Indonesia. This dish is well known for its savory broth made from a combination of coconut milk and cow’s milk, infused with aromatic spices. It is typically served with crispy emping (melinjo crackers), fresh tomatoes, and lime for added freshness.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 500g beef brisket or shank, cut into chunks
• 200g beef offal (tripe, lung, or liver), cleaned and cut into chunks
• 1 liter coconut milk
• 500ml cow’s milk
• 1.5 liters water
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Spice Paste:

• 6 cloves garlic
• 8 shallots
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp candlenuts (or macadamia nuts)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp galangal, minced

For Garnish:

• Fried shallots
• Chopped celery
• Lime wedges
• Tomato slices
• Emping (melinjo crackers)

Instructions

Preparing the Broth:

1. In a large pot, boil the beef and offal in 1.5 liters of water for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse to remove impurities.
2. Refill the pot with fresh water, add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and bay leaves. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the meat is tender.
3. Once cooked, remove the meat and offal, then slice them into smaller bite-sized pieces.

Preparing the Spice Paste:

1. Blend all the spice paste ingredients into a smooth mixture.
2. In a pan, heat the cooking oil and sauté the spice paste until fragrant, around 5 minutes.

Finalizing the Soup:

1. Add the cooked spice paste to the broth, then pour in the coconut milk and cow’s milk.
2. Return the sliced beef and offal to the pot, simmer for another 30 minutes while stirring occasionally.
3. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.

Serving:

1. Serve hot in bowls, topped with fried shallots and chopped celery.
2. Accompany with lime wedges, tomato slices, and emping crackers.
3. Enjoy your homemade Soto Betawi!

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use beef bone broth instead of plain water.
• Adjust the amount of coconut milk and cow’s milk to achieve your preferred consistency.
• If using offal, clean thoroughly by soaking in lime juice or vinegar before cooking.
• Let the soup rest for an hour before serving for a deeper, more complex flavor.

Conclusion

Soto Betawi is an iconic dish that showcases the rich and creamy flavors of Jakarta’s traditional cuisine. With its aromatic spices and hearty texture, this dish is a favorite among many Indonesians. Try making it at home and enjoy a comforting bowl of Soto Betawi with family and friends!