Soto Betawi (Jakarta Creamy Coconut Milk Beef Soup)
Quick answer
- Total time
- 170 min
- Level
- Hard
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Ingredients
- 10
About this dish
Instead of the offal and many garnishes found in fuller versions of this Jakarta soup, this home recipe makes its beef broth from brisket, coconut milk and a ground paste of onion, garlic and ginger cooked in oil.
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The milky color comes from the coconut milk added at the end, with no need to wait for a cloudy stock. Brisket is the slow part, and a cooked-looking surface says little; a fork should slide easily into the center. Rice is served on the side.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Trim thick outer fat from 700 g beef brisket and cut into roughly 3 cm pieces.
Pat the surface dry.
- 2
Chop and blend 1 onion, 6 garlic cloves and 25 g ginger.
If needed, take a little water from the measured 1500 ml to help the blades turn.
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons sunflower oil over medium heat and add the paste, 1 teaspoon ground coriander and 1 cinnamon stick.
Stir for about 8 to 10 minutes until the raw onion smell fades and the paste loses some moisture. Lower the heat if it starts to catch.
- 4
Add the beef and turn the pieces until the outside changes color.
Loosen browned bits with a little of the measured water.
- 5
Add the remaining water, bring to a boil and skim the surface.
Simmer gently with the lid slightly ajar for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, until a fork enters the center easily. Continue if the meat is still tough, topping up with hot water if pieces become exposed.
- 6
Stir in 500 ml coconut milk and 1 tablespoon fish sauce.
Heat gently for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally without a hard boil. Remove the cinnamon stick.
References checked
These references were consulted when this page was prepared or corrected. A source check does not mean the recipe was independently kitchen-tested.
- Soto Betawi from Coconut & Sambal
Lara Lee / cookbook excerpt at Tara's Multicultural Table · Checked: 2026-09-12
- Soto Betawi - Jakarta Beef Soup
Anita Jacobson / Daily Cooking Quest · Checked: 2026-09-12
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