How to make Bakso Meatball Soup

Why cooks start here

Bakso Meatball Soup is cooked the way Surabaya street carts cooks it — salt judged by hand, fat used generously, and the table set for sharing. This is the home version, written down the way a indonesian family cook actually puts it on the table.

Bakso Meatball Soup brings the bustling streets of Surabaya to your kitchen, where the aroma of simmering broth mingles with the calls of street vendors. Traditionally served from mobile carts, this dish is a snapshot of daily life, shared among friends and family who gather around the table. In this home-cooked version, the essence of the street is captured with the same generous hand for salt and a love for rich, comforting flavors. The soup's heartiness comes from tender beef meatballs floating in a savory broth, layered with the subtle sweetness of onions and carrots. Rice noodles soak up the flavors, while bok choy adds a fresh crunch. Finished with a sprinkle of fried shallots, each spoonful offers a warmth that is both familiar and satisfying, embodying the simplicity and depth of Indonesian home cooking.