Soto Betawi (Jakarta Creamy Coconut Milk Beef Soup)
Soto Betawi is a Jakarta-born beef soup distinguished by its creamy, coconut-enriched broth and a layered spice profile. The aromatics begin with a paste of onion, garlic, and ginger, bloomed in oil alongside ground coriander and a cinnamon stick to build a warm, complex base. Beef brisket simmers in this fragrant liquid for forty minutes or more until it yields to the touch, its collagen enriching the stock. Coconut milk and fish sauce are stirred in toward the end, transforming the broth into something rich and velvety while rounding off the sharper spice edges. The finished soup is neither thin nor heavy-it sits in a satisfying middle ground, substantial enough to serve as a main course with steamed rice or crusty bread on the side. Soto Betawi is a point of pride for Jakarta's Betawi community and a fixture of the city's street-food landscape.
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Instructions
- 1
Soak beef briefly to remove blood, then cut into large chunks.
- 2
Blend onion, garlic, and ginger into an aromatic paste.
- 3
Cook the spice paste with coriander, then sear beef lightly.
- 4
Add water and cinnamon, then simmer 40 minutes until beef is tender.
- 5
Stir in coconut milk and fish sauce, then simmer 10 more minutes.
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