Page 71 - EBOOK_81 Homestyle Recipes With The True Taste Of Indonesia

Betawi Beef Soup Soto Betawi

Forgotten by modern generations, the word “Betawi” is actually a version of the
colonial name of present day Jakarta, once known to the Dutch as Batavia. Betawi
refers to both the native people of Jakarta as well as this particular dialect of the
Indonesian language. The Betawi people are an amalgamation of native Indonesian,
Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, and Arabs that have long been local inhabitants of this
vast nation’s capital. The soup named after them is no less a complex blend of
ingredients, the result is a rich texture with full-bodied flavors. It has a smooth texture

from the coconut milk but a hearty taste from the beef, which is why Betawi Beef Soup
is so popular in Indonesia.

SERVES 4
PREPARATION TIME: 15-20 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 30 MINUTES
8 cups (1.75 liters) water

2 lb (1 kg) beef chunks, cut into bite-size pieces

1 stalk lemongrass, smashed and cut into 3 pieces