Soto Lamongan
Soto Lamongan is a fragrant and flavorful Indonesian chicken soup originating from East Java. It's characterized by its vibrant yellow broth, tender shredded chicken, and a unique crunchy topping called 'koya', made from fried coconut and shrimp crackers. This recipe provides a detailed guide to creating this authentic dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Whole chicken or chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended)(About 1 kg, for richer broth. You can use 500g chicken breast if preferred, but bone-in pieces yield more flavor.)
- 2.5 liters Water(For the broth.)
- 2 stalks Lemongrass stalk(Bruised and tied into a knot.)
- 3 leaves Bay leaves
- 2 cm Galangal(Bruised.)
- 1.5 tablespoons Salt(Or to taste.)
- 1 tablespoon Ground turmeric(Or 3 cm fresh turmeric, grated.)
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil(For sautéing the spice paste.)
- 8 cloves Shallots(Peeled.)
- 5 cloves Garlic cloves
- 2 cm Ginger(Peeled.)
- 3 pieces Candlenuts (kemiri)(Optional, for thickening and richness. If unavailable, omit.)
- 1 teaspoon White peppercorns
- 100 g Koya (fried coconut and shrimp cracker powder)(See preparation notes below. Typically made from fried grated coconut and fried shrimp crackers (kerupuk udang) pounded together.)
- 200 g Rice vermicelli (bihun)(Cooked according to package directions.)
- 3 large Hard-boiled eggs(Peeled and halved or quartered.)
- 2 tablespoons Fried shallots(For garnish.)
- 2 tablespoons Celery leaves or spring onions(Chopped, for garnish.)
- 1 lime Lime wedges(For serving.)
- to taste Sambal(Optional, for serving.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken and broth base. Place the chicken in a large pot with 2.5 liters of water. Add bruised lemongrass, bay leaves, bruised galangal, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat (approximately 10-15 minutes). Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during the first 15 minutes of simmering.
⏱️ 1 hour 15 minutes - 2
While the chicken is simmering, prepare the spice paste. In a food processor or using a mortar and pestle, combine shallots, garlic, ginger, candlenuts (if using), and white peppercorns. Process or pound until a smooth paste forms. If using a food processor, you may need to add a tablespoon of water to help it blend.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Sauté the spice paste. Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 175°C / 350°F). Add the spice paste and sauté, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the color deepens to a rich golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the ground turmeric (or grated fresh turmeric) and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the spices.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Combine broth and spice paste. Once the chicken is tender, carefully remove it from the broth and set aside on a plate to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the solids (lemongrass, bay leaves, galangal). Add the sautéed spice paste to the strained broth. Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for another 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones, and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your fingers.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 6
Prepare the koya (if making from scratch). Traditionally, koya is made by finely grinding fried grated coconut and fried shrimp crackers (kerupuk udang) together. You can also buy pre-made koya powder. If making from scratch, ensure both components are well-fried and then finely ground or pounded into a powder.
⏱️ N/A (can be done ahead) - 7
Assemble the Soto Lamongan. To serve, place a portion of cooked rice vermicelli in each serving bowl. Top with a generous amount of shredded chicken. Ladle the hot yellow broth over the chicken and noodles. Sprinkle liberally with koya powder. Garnish with chopped celery leaves or spring onions and fried shallots. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side and sambal for those who like it spicy.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Koya is the signature topping that gives Soto Lamongan its unique texture and flavor. Don't skip it if you can find or make it!
- ✓For an authentic taste, use bone-in chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks for a richer broth. If using whole chicken, you can cut it into smaller pieces before boiling.
- ✓Serve Soto Lamongan with a side of sambal for an extra kick of heat. A common choice is sambal terasi (shrimp paste chili sauce).
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Without koya: If koya is unavailable, the soup is still delicious, though it will lack the characteristic crunch and aroma.
- Different toppings: While koya is traditional, some variations might include fried shallots, celery leaves, or even a drizzle of chili oil.