The word "bakso" is a popular dish in Indonesia and is spelled using the Latin alphabet. Its correct pronunciation is /ˈbak.soʊ/ (bah-ksoh), with stress on the first syllable. The "b" sound is pronounced with a "p" sound in some regional dialects. The "a" is pronounced as in "father," while the "o" is short and pronounced as in "hot." The "s" sound is followed by a "sh" sound, creating the "soʊ" sound. In summary, the spelling of "bakso" follows the rules of English phonetics.
Bakso is a noun that refers to a traditional Indonesian cuisine, particularly famous as a meatball soup dish. It is a type of street food that has gained popularity both within Indonesia and internationally. The term "bakso" specifically denotes the meatballs in the dish, which are typically made from ground beef mixed with various other ingredients such as tapioca flour, garlic, onions, and seasonings. These meatballs are usually of moderate size, shaped into round balls, and are often served in a flavorful broth accompanied by noodles, vegetables like bean sprouts or cabbage, and sometimes tofu or dumplings.
The broth used for bakso is typically a clear, savory soup made by boiling various ingredients like bones, herbs, and spices. It is commonly seasoned with soy sauce, salt, pepper, and other optional condiments like chili sauce or sweet soy sauce. The dish is commonly garnished with fried shallots, chopped celery leaves, and Chinese celery.
Bakso is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. It is often eaten with rice, or it can be consumed on its own as a complete meal. Due to its popularity and widespread availability, there are numerous variations of bakso throughout Indonesia, each with its own distinct style and regional adaptations.
The word "bakso" originates from Indonesia. Its etymology is derived from the Hokkien dialect (spoken by Chinese Indonesians) and is related to a similar Chinese dish called "baishu" or "bahcu". Over time, the word "baishu" was adapted and became "bakso" in Indonesian. The dish itself was introduced to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants and has since become a popular street food in the country.