Surti Khavsa (Surat-Style Coconut Soup)

Surti Khavsa (Surat-Style Coconut Soup) is a medium Indian recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Your Food Lab on YouTube.

Prep: 30 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min

Cost: $5.54 total, $1.38 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Fresh Coconut (grated) (fresh, grated)
  • 4 cups Water (room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon Besan (Gram Flour) (sifted)
  • 10 pieces Cashew Nuts (raw, unsalted)
  • 1 tablespoon Melon Seeds (raw, can substitute pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 inch Ginger (peeled)
  • 8 cloves Garlic (peeled; 6 for paste, 2 for frying)
  • 2 pieces Green Chilies (slit lengthwise)
  • 6 tablespoons Peanut Oil (for frying and chutney)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Sugar (balances chutney flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 0.25 cup Peanuts (roasted, unsalted) (for garlic chutney)
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Powder (spicy) (adjust heat level)
  • 2 tablespoon Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for vibrant color)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cumin Seeds (ground or whole)
  • 200 grams Noodles (dry, eggless) (any thin wheat noodle works)
  • 2 stalks Spring Onion (separate greens and whites)
  • 5 sheets Papad (or samosa strips) (crush after frying; can use pre‑fried papad)
  • 2 pieces Onion (thinly sliced for frying)

Instructions

  1. First Extraction of Coconut Milk

    Place the grated coconut in the blender, add 2 cups of water and blend until smooth.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Second Extraction of Coconut Milk

    Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl lined with a double‑layered muslin cloth, squeeze to extract the first milk, then add another 2 cups of water to the remaining pulp and repeat the grinding and squeezing.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Combine Coconut Milks

    Mix the first (rich) and second (diluted) coconut milks together; set aside for the broth.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Prepare Besan Slurry

    In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon besan with a few tablespoons of the combined coconut milk until smooth and lump‑free.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Make Spice Paste

    Blend cashew nuts, melon seeds, ginger, 6 garlic cloves, green chilies, and a splash of water into a fine paste.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Stir‑Fry Spice Paste

    Heat 2 tbsp peanut oil in a kadhai over medium heat, add the spice paste and sauté until the oil begins to separate from the mixture (about 4‑5 minutes).

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  7. Add Besan Slurry

    Stir the besan slurry into the cooked paste, mixing quickly to avoid lumps.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Add Coconut Milk and Simmer

    Pour the combined coconut milk into the pan, add a little extra water if needed, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 6‑7 minutes until the flavors meld.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  9. Season the Broth

    Add salt to taste and check the consistency – it should be light and slightly watery, not thick.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Prepare Garlic Chutney Paste

    Blend roasted peanuts, 2 garlic cloves, red chili powder, Kashmiri chili powder, cumin seeds, and enough water to form a smooth paste.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Cook Garlic Chutney

    Heat 3‑4 tbsp peanut oil in a pan, add the chutney paste, stir‑fry until the oil separates (about 5 minutes). Then add salt, ½ tsp sugar, and lemon juice; mix well.

    Time: PT6M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  12. Fry Onion

    Slice the two onions thinly and shallow‑fry in a little oil until light golden brown (5‑7 minutes).

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  13. Fry Garlic

    Slice the remaining garlic cloves and fry in the same oil until crisp golden (3‑4 minutes).

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  14. Crisp Papad (or Samosa Strips)

    Cut papad sheets into strips (or use samosa pastry strips) and deep‑fry in hot oil until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: High heat

  15. Boil Noodles

    Cook the noodles in boiling water according to package instructions (5‑7 minutes), then drain and set aside.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Boiling

  16. Prep Spring Onion

    Chop the spring‑onion greens and whites finely.

    Time: PT2M

  17. Assemble Surti Khavsa

    In each serving bowl, add a handful of crushed papad, a portion of noodles, spring‑onion greens, fried garlic, fried onion, a spoonful of garlic chutney, then pour the hot coconut broth over everything.

    Time: PT3M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
8 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
4 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Vegan (if gluten‑free noodles are used), Contains nuts

Allergens: Tree nuts (cashew), Peanuts, Gluten (if wheat noodles are used)

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Surti Khavsa (Surat-Style Coconut Soup)

Recipe by Your Food Lab

Surti Khavsa is a fragrant, light coconut broth soup from Surat, India, topped with crispy papad, fried onion, fried garlic, spring‑onion greens, noodles and a punchy garlic‑peanut chutney. This recipe walks you through making homemade coconut milk, a silky cashew‑seed broth, and all the crunchy toppings for an authentic street‑food experience at home.

MediumIndianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
24m
Prep
48m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 22m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.54
Total cost
$1.38
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Extract coconut milk in two stages to obtain a rich first milk and a thinner second milk.
  • Stir‑fry the spice paste until oil separates – this develops flavor and prevents raw taste.
  • Add diluted coconut milk before the rich first milk when cooking the broth to avoid curdling.
  • Fry garlic and onion to golden brown without burning for optimal crunch and aroma.
  • Cook garlic chutney until oil separates; this ensures the right texture and prevents sogginess.
  • Crisp papad strips just before serving to retain crunch.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter – use a splatter guard and keep a lid nearby.
  • Be careful when squeezing coconut pulp; the cloth can be slippery.
  • Never leave simmering coconut milk unattended as it can boil over quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Surti Khavsa in Gujarati cuisine?

A

Surti Khavsa is a street‑food staple from Surat, Gujarat, originally inspired by Burmese house‑way soups that migrated with Burmese‑Indian communities. Over time it evolved into a uniquely Gujarati comfort soup, celebrated for its light coconut broth and crunchy toppings.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Surti Khavsa in Gujarat?

A

In coastal Gujarat, the broth may be spiced with mustard seeds and curry leaves, while inland versions often add more lentils or use yogurt instead of coconut milk. Some vendors replace papad with fried sev for extra crunch.

cultural
Q

How is Surti Khavsa traditionally served in Surat?

A

Vendors serve it in a shallow bowl, first sprinkling crushed papad, then adding boiled noodles, fried onion, fried garlic, a dollop of garlic‑peanut chutney, and finally pouring the hot coconut broth over everything for an instant mix‑and‑eat experience.

cultural
Q

During which occasions is Surti Khavsa typically enjoyed in Gujarati culture?

A

Surti Khavsa is a popular winter snack, often enjoyed during monsoon evenings, local festivals like Navratri, and as a comforting starter at family gatherings in Surat.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients make Surti Khavsa unique compared to other Indian soups?

A

The key authentic ingredients are freshly extracted coconut milk, a cashew‑seed paste, melon seeds, and the combination of fried papad, garlic, and onion. The use of a light coconut‑based broth (kadhi) sets it apart from lentil‑based Indian soups.

cultural
Q

What are common mistakes to avoid when making Surti Khavsa at home?

A

Common mistakes include overheating the coconut milk which causes curdling, skipping the besan stabiliser, adding the rich first‑extraction milk too early, and adding papad too early so it loses its crunch.

technical
Q

Why does this Surti Khavsa recipe use diluted coconut milk instead of only the first rich milk?

A

Diluted coconut milk reduces the fat content, preventing the broth from separating when heated. The rich first milk is added at the end for flavor and creaminess without risking curdling.

technical
Q

Can I make Surti Khavsa ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the coconut broth and garlic chutney a day ahead; store each in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the broth gently and add fresh fried toppings just before serving.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Your Food Lab specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Your Food Lab focuses on exploring regional Indian street foods, breaking down traditional recipes into step‑by‑step home‑cooking guides, and sharing cultural stories behind each dish.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Your Food Lab's approach to Gujarati cooking differ from other Indian cooking channels?

A

Your Food Lab emphasizes authentic street‑food techniques, uses inexpensive locally‑sourced ingredients, and often includes cultural background, whereas many other channels focus on restaurant‑style presentations or simplified versions without the traditional toppings.

channel

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