Golden Indonesian Fish Soup with Turmeric

Golden Fish Soup (Ikan Mas Kuah Kuning) – Rich and Aromatic

Golden Fish Soup, or “Ikan Mas Kuah Kuning,” is a flavorful Indonesian soup showcasing tender fish in a fragrant yellow broth. The turmeric, ginger, and various aromatic spices create a perfect balance between savory and slightly spicy notes, making it an ideal dish for any special family meal. This soup is not only rich in flavor but also comes with a gorgeous golden hue that makes it just as visually delightful.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Fresh carp fish	2 medium-sized fish
Shallots	15 cloves
Garlic	8 cloves
Fresh turmeric	2 pieces
Fresh ginger	2 cm piece
Ground coriander	1 tsp
Ground pepper	1/2 tsp
Kaffir lime leaves	7 leaves
Lemongrass	2 stalks, bruised
Bird’s eye chili	To taste
Salt	To taste
Sugar	A pinch
Flavor enhancer	Optional

Instructions

Step	Description
1	Clean the fish thoroughly, cut it into desired sizes, and lightly fry until it is partially cooked but not too crispy. Set aside.
2	Blend all the spices (shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger, coriander, and pepper) until they form a smooth paste. Keep the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves separate.
3	Heat some oil in a pot, then sauté the spice paste until fragrant, adding the bruised lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves as well.
4	In a separate blender, pulse the bird’s eye chili briefly to create a coarse blend. Add this to the spice mixture in the pot, stirring until everything is aromatic.
5	Add approximately 600 ml of water to the pot, and let it come to a boil.
6	Once boiling, carefully add the fried fish into the broth. Season with salt, a pinch of sugar, and flavor enhancer, if desired.
7	Let the soup simmer until the broth reduces slightly and all flavors meld together.
8	Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Turn off the heat, and your golden fish soup is ready to serve. Enjoy the rich aroma and the comforting flavors!