Authentic Soto Betawi Recipe – Jakarta’s Creamy Beef Soup

Soto Betawi is a famous traditional dish from Jakarta, Indonesia. It is known for its rich and creamy broth made from a combination of coconut milk and cow’s milk, giving it a unique and savory taste. The soup is usually served with tender beef cuts and accompanied by steamed rice, pickles, and emping crackers.

Soto Betawi

Ingredients:

500 grams beef (brisket or shank), cut into bite-size pieces

200 ml coconut milk

200 ml fresh milk or evaporated milk

1,500 ml water

2 lemongrass stalks, bruised

3 kaffir lime leaves

2 bay leaves

1 cinnamon stick

Salt and sugar to taste

Cooking oil for sautéing

Spice Paste (grind or blend):

6 shallots

4 garlic cloves

3 candlenuts

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger

1 thumb-sized piece of galangal

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder

Optional Garnishes and Sides:

Fried shallots

Chopped green onions and celery

Tomato slices

Lime wedges

Sambal (chili paste)

Emping crackers or potato chips

Pickled vegetables (acar)

Steamed rice

Cooking Instructions:

Boil the Beef

In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add the beef and cook until tender (about 1.5 hours if using regular pot, or 30-40 minutes in a pressure cooker). Skim off any foam or impurities from the surface.

Prepare the Spice Paste

Blend or grind all the spice paste ingredients until smooth.

Sauté the Spices

Heat a small amount of oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.

Combine the Soup

Pour the sautéed spices into the beef broth. Add salt and sugar to taste. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

Add the Milk and Coconut Milk

Reduce the heat to low. Add the coconut milk and fresh milk into the soup. Stir gently to prevent curdling. Simmer for another 10 minutes without boiling.

Adjust Seasoning

Taste and adjust the salt or sugar as needed.

Serving:

Serve hot with steamed rice. Add garnishes like fried shallots, green onions, lime wedges, and sambal. Enjoy the rich and creamy flavor of this traditional Soto Betawi!