Javanese Soto Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Noodle Soup)

(Indonesian chicken noodle soup)

Soto is a traditional Indonesian soup mainly composed of broth, meat, and vegetables. Many traditional soups are called soto, and the ingredients vary from region to region.

It is a light, flavoursome soup on the lines of a Burmese khowsuey, but minus the coconut milk. A DIY style of enjoying soup. A flavoursome broth is made using herbs, and chicken is normally boiled in it and shredded afterwards, accompanied by steamed vegetables. It does require some preparation, but the end result is amazing.

Do try this soup as cooked in my home.

It is a one bowl meal 😊

Soups bring comfort during winters and make for a light meal during summers. Sadly, soups were not something made very often at home when we were kids. Mummy made soup only if we were sick 😊

But living in Indonesia, it has been very easy to make friends with a number of soup varieties, and soto is a favourite of mine 😊

On to the recipe.

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Ingredients to Grind into a Fine Paste

• 15 small shallots
• 1 inch piece of ginger
• 1 inch piece of galangal, optional
• 5 to 6 garlic pods
• 1 inch piece of fresh turmeric
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 5 candlenuts, pan roasted, or 5 cashew nuts

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To Be Added to the Soup

• 300 gms chicken with bone, preferably thigh

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Ingredients for Flavouring the Soup

• 1 lemongrass root, bashed
• Few fresh bay leaves
• Few kaffir lime leaves

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Method

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a saucepan.
2. Add the lemongrass root, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Sauté till the herbs release their fragrance.
3. Add the ground paste and chicken. Sauté till the oil separates.
4. Add 1 litre of hot water.
5. Add salt and sugar to taste.
6. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Remove the chicken, shred it, and keep aside.
8. Strain the remaining soup and keep it hot.

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Ingredients for Serving

• 1 cup finely sliced cabbage, blanched
• 1 cup bean sprouts, blanched
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spring onions and celery
• 1/2 cup fried onions
• 2 potatoes, cut into thin slices and fried, or ready potato chips
• Rice noodles, boiled and strained, about 1 big bowl
• 1 bowl shredded chicken
• 2 boiled eggs, quartered
• Lime slices

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Sambal

• 6 red chillies
• 2 garlic pods
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Boil the red chillies.
2. Blend with a little water, garlic, and salt to a smooth paste.

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Assembling the Soto Ayam

1. Take a serving bowl and add the rice noodles.
2. Top with cabbage, bean sprouts, boiled eggs, shredded chicken, potato chips, spring onions, and fried onions.
3. Pour very hot soup over the toppings.
4. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and sambal.

Serve hot and enjoy 😊