Throughout Indonesia, soto is known under various names such as the Makassar coto or the Pekalongan tauto. However, this traditional Indonesian soup is usually associated with the island of Java, where it is believed to have appeared in its original form.
Nowadays there is no right way to prepare soto because the varieties are numerous and usually adapted to local cuisines. Although it is believed that soto was developed because of a strong Chinese influence in the country, it is more likely that the soup was created following common cooking traditions of the area and utilizing the ingredients which were available in abundance.
VARIATIONS OF Soto
MOST ICONIC Soto
Soto Betawi is a hearty beef soup consisting of chunks of meat and offal that are slowly simmered in a coconut milk broth, which is usually enriched with various spices such as lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, kefir lime leaves, and coriander. When served, the soup is accompanied by different condiments that typically include tomatoes, scallions, sweet soy sauce, and emping crackers.
Because of its name, it is believed that the dish originated in Jakarta among the Betawi people, and today it is one of the most popular dishes in the city, usually sold at various street stalls, restaurants, or hawker-style establishments. Soto Betawi is traditionally enjoyed with steamed rice and pickled acar on the side.
MOST ICONIC Soto Betawi
Pecel lele is a Javanese delicacy consisting of deep-fried catfish paired with sambal paste and vegetables such as cucumbers, string beans, lettuce, and cabbage. Tofu, tempeh, and steamed rice are often seen on the side, depending on regional preferences.
It is recommended to pair the dish with a glass of fresh orange juice or tea. Flavorful, inexpensive, and nutritious, it is a favorite meal of numerous Javanese people who often buy it from street stands called warung tenda, which are usually open from late in the afternoon until midnight.
MOST ICONIC Pecel lele
Perkedel are Indonesian fried delicacies consisting of either mashed potatoes, ground meat, ground corn, or minced fish (perkedel ikan). The name of these savory patties is derived from the Dutch word frikadel, showing the Dutch culinary influence on Indonesian territory.
Prior to frying, the main ingredient is usually combined with finely chopped scallions and pepper, then dipped in beaten eggs. Perkedel is traditionally served as an appetizer or a side dish with soto ayam soup, although it can also be consumed as a main dish, when it is usually accompanied by nasi kuning (yellow rice).
MOST ICONIC Perkedel
MAIN INGREDIENTS
These traditional, small-sized Indonesian pancakes are usually prepared with rice flour and coconut milk. The pancakes are incredibly versatile, they come in sweet and savory versions, and can be adapted with wheat flour and various toppings such as sugar, bananas, crushed peanuts, jackfruit, chocolate sprinkles, or fermented oncom, while modern-day additions also include meat, sausages, or ice cream.
Serabi pancakes are found throughout Java, but they are usually associated with the cities of Bandung and Solo. They are typically accompanied by strawberry, durian, or coconut-based kinca syrup, and are mainly sold as a quick and convenient street food.
MOST ICONIC Serabi
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Lemper is a savory snack from Indonesia made by stuffing glutinous rice with either seasoned shredded chicken, fish, or abon (meat floss) which is then rolled in a banana leaf or tinfoil and by doing so, it is transformed into a perfectly packaged snack.
The chicken-filled lemper version is called lemper ayam, while other versions similar to lemper include, for example, semar mendem, which is also shredded chicken with glutinous rice, but it is wrapped in a thin omelet.