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Soto Betawi (Indonesia)

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Soto Betawi, featuring tender beef in a decadent, spiced coconut and milk broth.

Level Medium Prep 30 min Cook 60 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

90 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 30m

Cook 60m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Soto Betawi, featuring tender beef in a decadent, spiced coconut and milk broth.

A classic Betawi specialty combining tender beef with a decadent spiced coconut and milk broth.

Instructions

Boil the beef chunks in a pot of water until tender, discard the first scum-laden broth if desired, and retain about 1 liter of clean beef broth.
Grind shallots, garlic, ginger, roasted coriander seeds, and cumin into a smooth spice paste.
Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the spice paste along with bruised lemongrass, galangal, Indonesian bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves until fragrant and cooked through.
Transfer the sautéed spice mixture into the pot with the boiled beef and beef broth.
Pour in the coconut milk and whole milk (or evaporated milk), stirring continuously over medium heat to prevent curdling.
Simmer gently until the flavors meld completely and the beef is thoroughly tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
30 min
Serve hot in bowls, garnished with fried potato cubes, diced tomatoes, chopped scallions, and fried shallots alongside steamed rice and lime wedges.

Nutrition

Calories 450

Protein 22g

Carbs 18g

Fat 34g

Fiber 2g

Sugar 4g

Sodium 580mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 30 min

Cook 60 min

Total 90 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.8
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 7.5
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.2
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 8.0
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An extraordinarily rich, comforting, and creamy traditional Indonesian beef soup loaded with aromatic spices.

Pros

Incredibly creamy and flavorful
Authentic Jakarta recipe
Hearty and satisfying

Cons

Requires careful stirring of milk to prevent separating

Overview

A classic Betawi specialty combining tender beef with a decadent spiced coconut and milk broth.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Indonesian Soto Betawi, featuring tender beef in a decadent, spiced coconut and milk broth.

Tips

Simmer the soup on low heat after adding the milk and coconut milk to prevent the broth from breaking or curdling
Serve with emping crackers (melinjo crackers) and spicy sambal for the ultimate authentic experience
Squeeze fresh lime juice right before eating to balance the rich creaminess

Substitutions

Whole milk → Evaporated milk
Beef shank → Beef chuck roast

Storage

Store the broth and meat mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep garnishes separate.

Pairing

Warm steamed white rice
Emping crackers and spicy chili sambal

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FAQ

What makes Soto Betawi unique compared to other Indonesian sotos?

Soto Betawi uniquely uses a rich combination of both coconut milk and cow's milk (or evaporated milk), giving it a distinctively creamy and savory texture.

Can I use only beef meat instead of offal?

Yes, traditional recipes often feature just beef brisket or shank according to personal preference.