The best of Indonesian cuisine: 8 soups that will warm your soul

Indonesian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavours, exotic spices and mouth-watering aromas. The country's culinary heritage is vast and varied, with influences from China, India, the Middle East and Europe. One of the best ways to experience the diverse flavours of Indonesia is through its soups. Indonesian soups come in various flavours and textures, from spicy and tangy to savoury and sweet. They are often made with fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs and spices, perfect for warming you up on a chilly day. Here are eight Indonesian soups that you must try.

1. Soto Soto is a popular soup dish in Indonesia, usually made with chicken or beef broth. The broth is flavoured with turmeric, lemongrass, and other spices, giving it a distinct yellow colour and aromatic flavour. Soto is typically served with shredded chicken or beef, noodles, and various toppings such as hard-boiled eggs, fried shallots, and lime wedges. 2. Bakso Bakso is a meatball soup that is a portion of popular street food in Indonesia. It is made with beef or chicken meatballs boiled in a broth with garlic, shallots, and spices. Bakso is often served with noodles, vegetables, and fried wontons. 3. Sop Buntut Sop Buntut is an oxtail soup that is a favourite among Indonesians. The oxtail is slow-cooked in a broth flavoured with tomatoes, carrots, and spices, resulting in a rich and hearty soup. Sop Buntut is typically served with rice and a side of sambal, a spicy condiment made with chilli peppers. 4. Rawon Rawon is a beef soup that is popular in East Java. The soup is made with beef that has been slow-cooked for hours in a broth flavoured with black nuts, giving it a dark and rich colour. Rawon is typically served with rice and a side of emping, a crispy cracker made from melinjo nuts. 5. Sayur Asem Sayur Asem is a sour vegetable soup that is a favourite among Indonesians. The soup is made with tamarind, giving it a tangy and sour flavour. Vegetables such as corn, beans, and carrots are added to the soup, along with tofu and tempeh. Sayur Asem is typically served with rice and a side of sambal. 6. Sop Kaki Kambing Sop Kaki Kambing is a goat leg soup that is a popular dish in Indonesia. The soup is made with goat legs that have been slow-cooked for hours, resulting in tender and flavourful meat. The soup is typically flavoured with garlic, ginger, and spices and is served with rice and a side of sambal. 7. Sop Ayam   Sop Ayam is a chicken soup that is comfort food in Indonesia. The soup is made with chicken broth flavoured with garlic, ginger, and spices and is typically served with shredded chicken, vermicelli noodles, and a variety of toppings such as hard-boiled eggs and fried shallots. 8. Sop Konro Sop Konro is a beef rib soup that is a popular dish in South Sulawesi. The soup is made with beef ribs that have been slow-cooked in a broth flavoured with lemongrass, garlic, and spices. Sop Konro is typically served with rice and a side of sambal. Conclusion Indonesian soups are a great way to experience Indonesia's rich and diverse culinary heritage. From the tangy Sayur Asem to the hearty Sop Buntut, there is a soup for every taste preference. So, the next time you're in Indonesia, try out these top-quality Asian food soups that will warm your soul. Visit Foodland for top quality Asian food and stock up on all your favourite ingredients at our Asian grocery. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the authentic flavours of Indonesia and other Asian countries. Come and explore our selection today!