Indonesian · soup

Soto Betawi (Betawi Beef and Coconut Milk Soup)

Name: Soto Betawi (Betawi Beef and Coconut Milk Soup)
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 1 lb beef brisket; 8 oz beef tripe; 1.5 cups coconut milk; 4 cups beef broth; 5 shallots; 4 cloves garlic; 2-inch piece galangal; 2 stalks lemongrass; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; 3 cloves; 2 tomatoes, diced; 2 limes, halved; 2 tbsp fried shallots; 1 oz emping

Soto Betawi (Betawi Beef and Coconut Milk Soup) reads umami 7.4, richness 5.9 and citrus 4.8 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Indonesian soup, about 1 hr 15 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

Umami & Savory — 7.7 / 10
Sweet & Fruity — 3.5 / 10
Sour & Bright — 6.1 / 10
Bitter & Earthy — 1.6 / 10
Rich & Fat — 6.7 / 10
Aromatic & Spice — 4.4 / 10

The measured notes (of 18)

Umami 7.4 · Richness 5.9 · Citrus 4.8 · Sourness 4.1 · Allium 3.8 · Salinity 3.0 · Sweetness 2.9 · Warm Spice 2.9 · Nutty 2.6 · Floral 2.5 · Fruity 2.0 · Herbaceous 1.8 · Earthy 1.4 · Bitterness 1.2

What's in it (14)

1 lb beef brisket
8 oz beef tripe
1.5 cups coconut milk
4 cups beef broth
5 shallots
4 cloves garlic
2-inch piece galangal
2 stalks lemongrass
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cloves
2 tomatoes, diced
2 limes, halved
2 tbsp fried shallots
1 oz emping

Time & effort: about 1 hr 15 min (25 min active) · effort: medium

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 149.7 kcal, 11.4 g protein, 7.7 g fat, 9.2 g carbs

Dietary: Contains meat · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (3 steps)

Simmer beef and tripe in spiced broth with galangal, lemongrass, nutmeg, and cloves until tender.
Stir in coconut milk and cook until the broth is creamy.
Serve topped with tomato, fried shallots, and emping, with lime on the side.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

Gheymeh — Persian
Harira — Moroccan
Moroccan Pork Casserole — Moroccan
Kuku wa Nazi (Chicken in Coconut Milk) — Swahili Coast
Suqaar (Somali Beef Cubes with Vegetables) — Somali

Keep reading: what umami, richness, citrus mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

See how this dish fits your palate — take the short taste test →

Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.