Must Try Indonesian Soup Delicacies

Sundanese foods will always be exciting to explore. Known as the third largest province in Indonesia, West Java with the capital city in Bandung offers various local foods. From major munchies to light snacks, Sundanese foods are distinct and easily recognisable in terms of the flavors.

Being known as an archipelagic country, Indonesia offers dozens of soup-based cuisines, each with a different and unique variety from each region. These soup dishes are rich in spices, curry-like, flavorful and mouthwatering!

Indonesian traditional soups are usually divided into two: clear broth-based soups and thick curry-like soups. Minced beef, shredded chicken, various kinds of steamed vegetables, and condiments are added into the bowl, along with regular toppings like fried onions, crackers and anchovies. Are you ready to explore the teastiness of Indonesian soups? Here are the list:

1. Soto Ayam

There are various kinds of soto in Indonesia. From those sold by street hawkers to luxury five-star restaurants, Soto Ayam comes in two variants: clear broth or curry-like soup. Soto Ayam consists of chicken cuts that are slowly simmered in broth, along with a spice paste that contains lemongrass, coriander, caraways seeds, galangal, garlic, turmeric, and ginger. The chicken is then shredded, and the dish is typically served with noodles, cabbage, scallions, boiled eggs, prawn crackers, or other garnishes. There are two perfect ways to enjoy Soto Ayam: mix your white rice into the soup and enjoy, or simply have them separated and enjoy together.

2. Soto Betawi

As the name suggests, this traditional variety of soto comes from Betawi, Jakarta. Unlike other soto, Soto Betawi challenges you to another level of enjoying soto. Beside chopped beef and shredded chicken, liver and offals are usually added into the soup. The creaminess and the thickness of the soup comes from the mixture of coconut milk and milk mixed with bone broth. In a bowl of delicious Soto Betawi you will have rice, chopped beef, soups and sprinkled with shrimp crackers.

3. Sup Iga

If grilled ribs are something you can enjoy, then this menu will be your next favorite. The ribs are boiled for hours to make them tender and juicy,, and then served in a soup which we call, Sup Iga. During the cooking process various kinds of herbs are mixed with the soup, like cloves, cumin, ginger, lemongrass, candlenut, and many more. This mixture of herbs makes this soup so rich in flavor, paired with the sweet flavor from the ribs, making this a favourite for ribs lovers everywhere.

4. Kway Chap Pontianak

Originally from Pontianak, Indonesia, this soup brings different influences to Indonesian soups. The main ingredient of this soup is the kwetiau, a wide shaped noodle made from rice flour. Boiling pork broth are then poured into the noodle along with the pork oil. Crispy pork skin and fried onion are added on top to complete the dish. You must enjoy the soup while it is warm and don’t forget to add lime juice and fish oil to bring up a bit of saltiness and sourness.