Surinamese Saoto Soup
A fragrant and hearty chicken soup with Javanese origins, Saoto Soup is a complex yet comforting dish. It features a flavorful broth, shredded chicken, and a variety of garnishes that allow for personalization.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 large Chicken breasts(about 600g total)
- 5 liters Water
- 10 Maggi cubes(small cubes, to taste)
- 2 Lemongrass stalks(bruised)
- 2 pieces Fresh galangal (laos)(about 1cm each, bruised)
- 2 pieces Fresh ginger(about 1cm each, bruised)
- 5 Allspice berries
- 2 Indonesian bay leaves (salam)
- 1 twig Fresh celery(with leaves)
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- Salt(to taste)
- 4 Hard-boiled eggs(for garnish)
- 300 g Bean sprouts (taugé)(blanched, for garnish)
- 1 small pack Fried vermicelli(for garnish)
- Fried onions(for garnish)
- 3 cups Shredded cooked chicken(from the soup stock)
- Celery leaves(chopped, for garnish)
- Parsley(chopped, for garnish)
- Spicy soy sauce (sambal ketjap)(to taste)
- Steamed rice(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the broth: Place chicken breasts in a large stock pot. Add 5 liters of water, Maggi cubes, bruised lemongrass, galangal, ginger, allspice berries, bay leaves, celery twig, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours, skimming off any fat that rises to the surface. Season with salt to taste.
- 2
Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solids. You should have approximately 3-4 liters of clear broth.
- 3
Shred the cooled chicken meat using your fingers or two forks.
- 4
Prepare the garnishes: Blanch the bean sprouts briefly in boiling water and drain. Hard-boil the eggs, peel, and slice or quarter them. Prepare fried vermicelli and fried onions according to package directions or purchase pre-made.
- 5
To serve: Ladle some steamed rice into a large soup bowl. Add a generous portion of shredded chicken, blanched bean sprouts, and sliced hard-boiled eggs. Pour the hot broth over the ingredients.
- 6
Top with fried vermicelli, fried onions, chopped celery, and parsley. Serve immediately with spicy soy sauce on the side for those who like it extra flavorful.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer broth, you can roast the chicken bones before adding them to the pot.
- ✓The garnishes are essential to the Saoto Soup experience; encourage guests to customize their bowls.
- ✓If fresh galangal is unavailable, use ginger as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add fried potato sticks as another garnish.
- Some recipes include a small amount of turmeric in the broth for color.