Sop Buntot (Indonesian Oxtail Soup)

This is my version of Indonesian sop buntot, a deeply comforting oxtail and vegetable soup. Rich in collagen and filled with complex flavors, I always serve this with steamed rice and extra sliced tomatoes, fish sauce, shallot flakes (or French-fried onions), and lime wedges on the side.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 hr
• Total Time: 5 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 520 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 (2.8 ounce) can French-fried onions
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 cups water, or as needed to cover
• 3 large carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 (2 inch) piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced across the grain
• 3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 shallots, peeled and halved
• 1 large onion, quartered, divided
• 6 whole cloves (Optional)
• 4 pounds meaty oxtail pieces, at room temperature
• 3 waxy potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 3 ripe roma tomatoes, sliced horizontally into 1/2-inch wedges
• 2 large carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine shallots, 2 onion quarters, ginger, and garlic in a food processor; pulse into a paste.

Step 2

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shallot paste and fry until fragrant and slightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add oxtails; cook and stir until browned, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir remaining onion quarters, celery, and 2 carrots into the pot. Pour in enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until oxtail is tender, about 5 hours.

Step 4

Stir potatoes, 3 carrots, salt, and black pepper into the pot. Increase heat and simmer soup until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes. Add sugar and fish sauce; stir well to combine.

Step 5

Ladle soup into large serving bowls; top with tomato wedges and French-fried onions.