Authentic Medan Soto Ayam with Bihun and Coconut Milk

Soto Ayam Bihun Medan: A Savory Delight from Medan

Soto Ayam Bihun Medan is a fragrant and flavorful Indonesian chicken soup renowned for its rich and aromatic broth, combined with tender chicken and delicate bihun (rice noodles). This traditional dish offers a wonderful blend of spices and ingredients, making it a perfect comfort food for any occasion. Here’s a detailed recipe to bring the essence of Medan to your kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Soto:

• 1/2 kg chicken (cut into pieces)
• 2 sheets of corn bihun (rice noodles)
• Bean sprouts (to taste)
• 1 cup coconut milk (santan)
• 2 stalks of celery leaves (daun seledri)
• 2 stalks of green onions (daun bawang)
• 2 star anise (bunga lawang)
• 4 cloves (cengkeh)
• 1 stick of cinnamon (kayu manis)
• 4 cardamom pods (kapulaga)
• Salt (to taste)
• Sugar (to taste)
• Optional: seasoning powder (penyedap)
• Cooking oil

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 5 shallots (bawang merah)
• 3 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds (ketumbar)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (merica)
• 1/2 nutmeg (buah pala)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (jinten halus)
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin (jinten kasar)
• 1 inch ginger (jahe)
• 4 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 1 inch turmeric (kunyit)

For Garnishing:

• Fried shallots (bawang goreng)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken and Noodles:

   • Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pot. Once hot, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool slightly. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces once it’s cool enough to handle.
   • Meanwhile, soak the bihun in warm water according to the package instructions until soft. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend all the ingredients for the spice paste into a smooth mixture. You may use a mortar and pestle or a food processor for this step.

3. Cook the Soup:

   • In the same pot used for frying the chicken, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and heat over medium flame. Sauté the blended spice paste until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
   • Pour in the coconut milk and stir continuously to prevent the coconut milk from curdling. Add salt and sugar to taste, and continue to stir until the mixture is well combined.
   • Add the celery leaves, green onions, star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods. Allow the mixture to simmer until it starts to boil gently.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Once the broth is aromatic and slightly thickened, add the bean sprouts and shredded chicken. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Assemble and Serve:

   • To serve, place a portion of the softened bihun in individual bowls. Ladle the hot soto over the noodles, ensuring each bowl gets a generous amount of chicken and bean sprouts.
   • Garnish with a sprinkle of fried shallots for added flavor and texture.

6. Enjoy Your Soto:

   • Serve your Soto Ayam Bihun Medan hot, and enjoy this delightful and comforting dish. It pairs wonderfully with a side of steamed rice or as a standalone meal.

This recipe captures the essence of Medan’s vibrant culinary culture, bringing together a harmonious blend of spices, tender chicken, and delicate rice noodles in a fragrant coconut milk broth. Enjoy crafting this flavorful dish at home, and savor the taste of traditional Indonesian comfort food!