More dishes to try
Rondón: Origins, Food Culture & Recipe
Fish or seafood, coconut milk, yuca, plantain and root vegetables simmer together in this Afro-Caribbean coastal stew.
Discover →Suriname
Saoto Soep: Origins, Food Culture & Recipe
Saoto Soep is Suriname’s aromatic interpretation of Javanese soto: clear chicken broth, egg, bean sprouts, herbs and crisp garnishes create layers of texture.
RegionSuriname
DishSaoto Soep is Suriname’s aromatic interpretation of Javanese soto: clear chicken broth, egg, bean sprouts, herbs and crisp garnishes create layers of texture.
Flavour profilemulticultural · aromatic · Surinamese
Culinary portrait
Saoto Soep is Suriname’s aromatic interpretation of Javanese soto: clear chicken broth, egg, bean sprouts, herbs and crisp garnishes create layers of texture.
Origins and cultural meaning
Saoto Soep reflects Suriname’s exceptional culinary diversity, shaped by Indigenous, African, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Jewish and Dutch histories.
Variations
Seasoning, proportions and accompaniments vary between families. These differences are part of a living Surinamese food tradition.
Kitchen knowledge
Use the characteristic ingredients and cooking technique, season carefully and pay close attention to texture and complete cooking where required.
Cook it yourself
How to prepare Saoto Soep
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken or 1 kg chicken pieces
- 2 l water
- 2 stalks lemongrass
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 piece ginger
- 4 eggs
- 200 g bean sprouts
- 2 spring onions
- 100 g crisp potato sticks
- cooked rice, optional
Preparation
- Simmer chicken with water, lemongrass, ginger and garlic to make a strong broth.
- Remove chicken and shred the meat.
- Strain and season the broth.
- Prepare boiled eggs, bean sprouts and spring onions.
- Divide garnishes among bowls, pour over hot broth and add crisp toppings.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is Saoto Soep?
Saoto Soep is Suriname’s aromatic interpretation of Javanese soto: clear chicken broth, egg, bean sprouts, herbs and crisp garnishes create layers of texture.
Why is Saoto Soep important in Suriname?
It represents one strand of Suriname’s multicultural food history and has developed its own local identity.