Bakso Recipe – Popular Indonesian Meatball Soup Recipe

by faishal on in Soups
Bakso recipe - Popular Indonesian Meatball Soup Recipe
Bakso are a type of meatball commonly found in Indonesian cuisine, is an extremely popular Indonesian street food. Bakso recipe are generally made from a mixture of ground beef and tapioca flour, but there are also meatballs made from chicken, fish, or shrimp and even buffalo meat.

In its presentation, meatballs are generally served hot with clear beef broth, mixed with noodles, vermicelli, bean sprouts, tofu, sometimes eggs and then sprinkled with fried onions and celery.

Bakso is very popular and can be found all over Indonesia; from street vendor carts to large restaurants. Therefore, various types of meatballs are now widely offered in the form of frozen food sold in supermarkets or malls. Sliced meatballs can also be used as a complement to other types of food such as fried noodles, fried rice, or capcai.

These Indonesian meatballs are pretty similar in make up and in the method with Chinese meatballs. In fact, many believe that Bakso was introduced to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants, while others contend that it is a copy of the Western meatballs via the Dutch.

Bakso Recipe – Indonesian Meatball Soup Recipe

Cuisine: Indonesian
Yields: 4 servings
Calories: 500 calories
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Keywords: ground beef, soup, meatball, street food

Ingredients

  • 500 gr Ground Beef
  • 1 tbsp fried red onion
  • 2 tsp fried garlic
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 4 tbsp sago flour
  • 1 egg white
  • 10 ice cubes
  • 1 tsp instant beef stock (optional)
  • 2 tbsp plain gelatin flour

Meatball Soup Ingredients

  • 600 gr Beef Bone
  • 3 liters of boiled water
  • 10 cloves of garlic, coarsely ground
  • 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
  • 100 g celery sticks, cut into pieces
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp sugar

How to Cook

  1. How to make meatball. Combine ground beef with fried shallots and fried garlic in a chopper/food processor. Add all the ingredients, and the last step the egg whites along with the ice cubes. Bring boiled water to a boil in a large pot, after boiling, add the shaped meatball balls using your hands/spoon. Can also be filled with quail eggs in the middle. Immediately lift and drain the meatballs after floating.
  2. How to make meatball soup: Boil water in a saucepan, immediately add the beef bones that have been washed clean. Remove the dirt in the boiling water, and reduce the heat and cook until the broth comes out for about 1 hour. Saute the chopped garlic and celery until fragrant and cooked, put it in the bone stew, add the chopped celery sticks. Add pepper, salt and sugar. Boil until the broth is completely out and the gravy is cooked, add the boiled meatballs again until it boils.
  3. Finally, bakso soup are ready to be served.

FAQ Section for Bakso Recipe

What is Bakso?

Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball soup made from ground beef (or a mix of beef and chicken) and tapioca flour, resulting in a chewy texture. It is typically served in a flavorful broth with noodles, tofu, vegetables, and garnished with fried shallots and scallions.

Can I use other types of meat for Bakso?

Yes, while beef is the traditional choice, you can also use chicken, pork, or a combination of these meats. The texture might vary slightly depending on the meat used.

What gives Bakso its unique chewy texture?

The chewy texture of Bakso comes from the addition of tapioca flour (or starch) to the ground meat mixture. This starch helps bind the meat and gives it a firm, bouncy texture.

Can I make Bakso without a food processor?

While a food processor makes it easier to achieve a smooth and uniform texture, you can also hand-mix the ingredients. Make sure to knead the meat mixture thoroughly to ensure the meatballs hold together well.

How do I store leftover Bakso?

Store cooked Bakso meatballs and broth separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the meatballs for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator before reheating in the broth.

What kind of noodles should I use for Bakso?

Bakso is typically served with vermicelli (rice noodles) or egg noodles. You can also use other types of noodles based on your preference, such as udon or soba noodles.

How do I make the broth for Bakso?

The broth for Bakso is usually made from simmering beef bones or oxtail with aromatics like garlic, shallots, and celery. You can also add a bit of fish sauce and soy sauce for extra flavor. For a quicker version, you can use store-bought beef broth and enhance it with spices and seasonings.

Can I add other ingredients to the Bakso soup?

Absolutely! Bakso soup can be customized with various ingredients such as tofu, bok choy, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and even hard-boiled eggs. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables and toppings to enhance the dish.