Bakso

Name: Bakso
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 500g lean ground beef; 100g tapioca starch; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp white pepper; 1 egg white; 2 tbsp ice water; 1.5L beef broth; 200g yellow egg noodles; 4 stalks bok choy; Fried shallots; Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis); Sambal; Celery leaves, chopped

Bakso (BAK-so)

Indonesian Beef Meatball Soup

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 406 kcal

Bouncy, springy beef meatballs bobbing in a steaming aromatic broth with yellow noodles, bok choy, fried shallots, and a drizzle of sweet soy sauce — Indonesia's most beloved street food soup.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 42.0g

Fat 14.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ soy ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

large pot food processor slotted spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep ceramic bowl

Garnishes: fried shallots, celery leaves, kecap manis

Accompaniments: sambal, lime wedge, crackers (kerupuk)

Ingredients

500g lean ground beef
100g tapioca starch
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1 egg white
2 tbsp ice water
1.5L beef broth
200g yellow egg noodles
4 stalks bok choy
Fried shallots
Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
Sambal
Celery leaves, chopped

Instructions

1
Blend ground beef, tapioca starch, garlic, salt, white pepper, egg white, and ice water in a food processor until a smooth, sticky paste forms.
2
Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Wet your hands and form the paste into golf ball-sized meatballs, dropping them into the water.
3
Simmer meatballs for 8-10 minutes until they float and are firm. Remove with a slotted spoon.
4
Bring beef broth to a boil separately. Cook yellow noodles according to package directions; blanch bok choy briefly.
5
Divide noodles among bowls, add meatballs and bok choy, ladle hot broth over everything.
6
Top with fried shallots, celery leaves, a drizzle of kecap manis, and sambal on the side.

💡

Did You Know?

Bakso is so popular in Indonesia that former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was famously photographed eating it at street stalls, calling it his favorite food.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
food processor
slotted spoon

Garnishing

fried shallots, celery leaves, kecap manis

Accompaniments

sambal, lime wedge, crackers (kerupuk)

The Story Behind Bakso

Bakso originated from Chinese-Indonesian culinary fusion in the early 20th century, with the name derived from the Hokkien word "bak-so" meaning meat. The tapioca starch gives the meatballs their signature bouncy texture that distinguishes them from other Asian meatball soups. Today, bakso vendors push their carts through every Indonesian neighborhood, their distinctive wooden knocking sound announcing their arrival.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed anytime snack or meal, especially from street carts 📜 Origins: Chinese-Indonesian fusion, early 20th century

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