Sup Woku Ikan Bawal: A Delightful Indonesian Fish Soup

Sup Woku Ikan Bawal is a vibrant Indonesian dish that beautifully combines the flavors of fresh fish with aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in a comforting soup perfect for any occasion. This recipe guides you through crafting this delicious dish, which pairs wonderfully with warm rice and crispy crackers.

Ingredients

To create this flavorful soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• 3 large bawal fish, cleaned and gutted
• 3 tomatoes, sliced horizontally
• A handful of basil leaves (daun kemangi)
• Green onions, finely sliced (daun bawang), to taste
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised (sereh)
• 1 piece of turmeric (kunyit), about 2 inches
• 1 piece of ginger (jahe), about 2 inches
• 1 piece of galangal (lengkuas), about 2 inches
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 5 shallots (bawang merah)
• 2 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 7 bird’s eye chilies (cabai rawit setan), chopped finely
• Salt, to taste
• Palm sugar (gula jawa), to taste
• 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
• 1.5 liters of water

Preparation Steps

Follow these steps to create a delicious Sup Woku Ikan Bawal:

1. Clean the Fish: Begin by thoroughly washing the bawal fish and ensuring the insides are clean. Then, cut each fish into three portions for even cooking.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste: In a blender or mortar, combine the garlic, shallots, candlenuts, turmeric, ginger, and galangal. Blend until smooth to create a fragrant spice paste that will be the foundation of your soup.

3. Sauté the Spices: In a large pot, heat the 3 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the prepared spice paste along with the bruised lemongrass, stirring until the mixture is fragrant and golden.

4. Simmer the Broth: Pour in approximately 1.5 liters of water and bring to a boil. This will form the flavorful broth for your soup.

5. Season the Soup: Once the broth reaches a rolling boil, add salt and palm sugar to taste, adjusting the flavors to your preference.

6. Add the Fish: Gently place the cut bawal fish into the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the fish to cook through.

7. Final Touches: When the fish is nearly cooked, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if needed. Stir in the basil leaves, sliced green onions, tomato slices, and chopped chilies. Cook for just a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

8. Serve: Ladle the hot Sup Woku Ikan Bawal into bowls and serve immediately alongside steamed rice and crispy crackers for a delightful meal.

Enjoy!

This Sup Woku Ikan Bawal is not only a feast for the senses but also a heartwarming dish that brings family and friends together. Enjoy each spoonful of this delightful soup and let the vibrant flavors transport you to the shores of Indonesia. Happy cooking! 😊😊😊