Asian soups offer a world of flavors to warm you up. From spicy Thai curries to comforting Japanese broths, these recipes bring variety to your kitchen.

You’ll find options for every taste and dietary need.

These 25 Asian soup recipes will help you create delicious meals at home. They use ingredients like chicken broth, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms to build rich flavors.

You’ll learn how to make classics like egg drop soup and tom yum, as well as lesser-known dishes. Try these soups to add some excitement to your cooking routine.

1. Pho

Pho is a beloved Vietnamese noodle soup that warms your soul. It features a flavorful broth made by simmering beef bones, spices, and aromatics for hours.

To make pho at home, start by roasting beef bones and onions. Then simmer them with ginger, cinnamon, star anise, and other spices.

Add fish sauce for depth and rock sugar for balance.

Serve the hot broth over rice noodles with thinly sliced beef. Top with fresh herbs like basil and cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges.

Customize your bowl with hoisin sauce or chili garlic paste for extra flavor.

2. Tom Yum

Tom Yum is a popular Thai soup known for its hot and sour flavors. It combines fragrant herbs like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves with spicy chili peppers and tangy lime juice.

The most common version is Tom Yum Goong, made with shrimp. You can also find versions with chicken or other seafood.

To make Tom Yum, you’ll start by creating an aromatic broth. Then add your choice of protein and vegetables.

Season the soup with fish sauce, lime juice, and chili paste to taste.

You can enjoy Tom Yum as a clear soup or try the creamy version with added coconut milk. This warming soup is perfect for cold days or when you need a flavorful pick-me-up.

3. Miso Soup

Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine. You can make this comforting dish at home with just a few ingredients.

Start with dashi, a flavorful stock made from kombu seaweed and bonito flakes. Add soft tofu cubes and wakame seaweed for texture.

The key is the miso paste. Choose from white, yellow, or red varieties. Mix it with a bit of hot dashi before adding to the soup to prevent clumping.

Garnish your miso soup with chopped green onions. For extra nutrition, toss in some spinach leaves.

You can also add mushrooms or daikon radish for more flavor and substance.

4. Ramen

Ramen is a beloved Asian soup that’s easy to make at home. You can create a tasty broth using chicken stock, soy sauce, and ginger. Add garlic for extra flavor.

Cook your choice of noodles separately. Then place them in a bowl and pour the hot broth over top.

Top your ramen with cooked chicken, pork, or tofu. Add some vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or corn.

A soft-boiled egg is also a classic topping.

For extra taste, try adding a spoonful of chili oil or miso paste to your broth. You can also sprinkle green onions or nori on top for more flavor and texture.

5. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a popular Chinese dish known for its tangy and spicy flavors. You’ll love this comforting soup on chilly days.

The key ingredients include chicken stock, tofu, mushrooms, and egg. Vinegar provides the sour taste, while white pepper adds heat.

To make it, simmer the broth with garlic and ginger. Add julienned pork, tofu, and mushrooms.

Thicken with cornstarch and slowly pour in beaten egg.

Season with soy sauce, vinegar, and white pepper. Garnish with green onions before serving.

You can customize the spice level to your liking.

6. Laksa

Laksa is a popular Southeast Asian noodle soup that will warm you up on chilly days. This spicy and fragrant dish combines noodles with a rich coconut milk broth.

You’ll find laksa in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with regional variations. The soup typically includes wheat noodles, rice vermicelli, or egg noodles.

The broth is the star of laksa. It’s made with coconut milk, spices, and fresh aromatics. Shrimp paste adds depth of flavor.

Common toppings include chicken, shrimp, fish balls, and tofu puffs. Garnish your laksa with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a squeeze of lime for extra zest.

7. Wonton Soup

Wonton soup is a classic Chinese dish you’ll love. It features delicate dumplings filled with meat or veggies in a flavorful broth.

To make wontons, place a small amount of filling in the center of a wrapper. Wet the edges and fold to seal. You can shape them into simple triangles or fancy pouches.

Cook the wontons in boiling water until they float. Then add them to your prepared broth with some veggies and aromatics.

The soup is easy to customize. Try different fillings like pork, shrimp, or mushrooms.

Add noodles or bok choy for extra texture and nutrition.

8. Khao Soi

Khao soi is a flavorful northern Thai curry noodle soup. It features a rich coconut milk broth spiced with red curry paste, turmeric, and curry powder.

You’ll find tender chicken, egg noodles, and crispy fried noodles on top for crunch. The soup is often garnished with lime, shallots, and pickled vegetables.

To make khao soi, start by cooking the curry paste in coconut milk. Add chicken, more coconut milk, and broth. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through.

Serve the soup over soft egg noodles and top with crispy fried noodles. Add your choice of garnishes for extra flavor and texture.

9. Kimchi Jjigae

Kimchi jjigae is a popular Korean stew that’s perfect for cold days. You make it with fermented kimchi, pork, and tofu in a spicy broth.

To start, cook kimchi in a pot until it’s soft. Add pork and let it cook for a few minutes.

Then mix in vegetable broth, gochujang (red chili paste), and gochugaru (red pepper flakes).

Let the stew simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add cubes of tofu near the end of cooking.

The result is a hearty, flavorful soup that warms you up from the inside out.

Serve your kimchi jjigae hot with a side of rice. It’s a comforting meal that brings authentic Korean flavors to your table.

10. Udon Soup

Udon soup is a comforting Japanese dish featuring thick wheat noodles in a savory broth. You can easily make this soup at home with a few key ingredients.

Start by cooking udon noodles according to package instructions. While they cook, prepare a simple broth using dashi stock, soy sauce, and mirin.

Add your favorite toppings to customize the soup. Common options include sliced green onions, soft-boiled eggs, and tempura.

For a heartier meal, try adding chicken and mushrooms.

Serve the hot broth over the cooked noodles in a deep bowl.

The chewy texture of udon noodles pairs perfectly with the flavorful broth, creating a satisfying meal any time of year.

11. Borscht

Borscht is a hearty soup popular in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Unlike traditional Eastern European versions, Hong Kong-style borscht doesn’t contain beets.

You’ll find this soup packed with tender oxtail, beef, or both. The broth gets its rich flavor from tomatoes, cabbage, and root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

To make borscht, simmer the meat for several hours until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. Then add vegetables and seasonings like garlic, bay leaves, and tomato paste.

The soup has a slightly tangy taste from vinegar or wine. Brown sugar balances the acidity.

Serve your borscht piping hot for a comforting meal on chilly days.

12. Bird’s Nest Soup

Bird’s nest soup is a famous Chinese delicacy. It’s made from the nests of swiftlets, small birds that build nests using their saliva.

To make the soup, soak the bird’s nest overnight in cool water. Then simmer it gently with jujubes in a pot of water.

Many believe this soup has health benefits. People think it helps maintain youthful skin and boosts overall wellness.

The soup is often sweetened with rock sugar. Some recipes add goji berries for extra flavor and nutrition.

Bird’s nest soup is expensive due to the difficult harvesting process. It’s seen as a luxury item in Chinese cuisine.

13. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a quick and easy Chinese dish you can make at home. You’ll need chicken broth, eggs, and a few seasonings.

Start by heating the broth and adding salt and white pepper. Mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water to make a slurry.

Stir the slurry into the hot broth to thicken it slightly. Then, slowly pour beaten eggs into the soup while stirring gently.

The eggs will form delicate ribbons in the broth. You can garnish your soup with green onions or sesame oil for extra flavor.

This comforting soup takes about 15 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for cold days or when you want a light meal.

14. Harira

Harira is a flavorful Moroccan soup that’s popular during Ramadan. You can make this hearty dish with lentils, chickpeas, and tomatoes.

Spices like cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric give harira its distinct taste. Fresh herbs such as cilantro and parsley add brightness to the soup.

You can customize harira by adding vermicelli noodles or rice. For a protein boost, try including small pieces of lamb or beef.

This soup is filling and nutritious. You can serve it with dates and bread for a complete meal.

Harira freezes well, so you can make a big batch to enjoy later.

15. Soto Ayam

Soto ayam is a tasty Indonesian chicken soup. It has a flavorful broth made with chicken, lemongrass, and turmeric. The soup usually includes rice noodles or vermicelli.

You’ll often find shredded chicken, bean sprouts, and hard-boiled eggs in soto ayam. Some versions add fried potato cakes called begedil for extra texture.

To make the soup, simmer chicken with spices to create a rich broth. Then add coconut milk for creaminess. Serve with lime juice and sambal oelek for extra kick.

16. Singgang Serani

Singgang Serani is a flavorful Eurasian fish curry from Singapore and Malaysia. This unique dish blends influences from both Asian and European cuisines.

To make Singgang Serani, you’ll start by sautéing onions and lemongrass in oil. Then add a spice paste and fry it until fragrant.

The curry typically includes fish as the main protein. You can use different types of fish depending on your preference.

The dish gets its rich taste from a mix of spices and aromatics. These may include chili, ginger, and garlic. Coconut milk is often added to create a creamy texture.

Singgang Serani is best enjoyed with rice or bread. It’s a warming, comforting soup perfect for cooler days.

17. Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh is a comforting pork rib soup popular in Malaysia and Singapore. The name means “meat bone tea” in Hokkien.

To make it, you’ll simmer pork ribs in a broth flavored with garlic, white pepper, and other spices. The cooking time can range from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Before cooking, blanch the pork ribs to remove impurities. Then add them to the spiced broth and let it simmer.

You can enhance the flavor with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Serve the soup hot with rice or Chinese fried dough sticks for dipping.

18. Samgyetang

Samgyetang is a nourishing Korean chicken soup. You’ll find a whole young chicken stuffed with sticky rice, ginseng, and herbs in a clear broth.

This soup is popular during hot summer days in Korea. People believe it helps restore energy and boost the immune system.

To make samgyetang, you stuff a small chicken with rice, garlic, and jujube. Then you simmer it in a pot with ginseng and other herbs.

The result is a comforting and flavorful soup. You can enjoy it as a meal on its own or with side dishes.

19. Ginseng Chicken Soup

Ginseng chicken soup is a popular Asian dish known for its nourishing properties. You’ll find it served in Korea as samgyetang and in China as a medicinal soup.

To make this soup, you’ll need a whole chicken, ginseng root, jujubes, and garlic. Some recipes also include goji berries for added flavor and nutrition.

Start by cleaning the chicken and stuffing it with ginseng and other ingredients. Place it in a pot with water and bring to a boil.

Then, simmer for 1-3 hours until the chicken is tender and the broth is flavorful.

This soup is often enjoyed during hot summer months to boost energy and health. It’s also given to people recovering from illness or surgery.

20. Chinese Herbal Soup

Chinese herbal soup is a nourishing dish with roots in traditional medicine. You’ll find it packed with healing ingredients like goji berries, jujubes, and ginseng.

To make this soup, you’ll need a mix of herbs and meat. Pork bones or chicken are common bases. Soak the bones in cold water for an hour before cooking.

In a large pot, combine the meat, herbs, and water. Simmer for 3-5 hours to extract the flavors and nutrients.

The result is a flavorful, comforting soup. It’s believed to boost your immune system and overall health. Enjoy it hot for best results.

21. Sinigang

Sinigang is a beloved Filipino sour soup. You’ll love its tangy flavor from tamarind.

This comforting dish often features pork ribs or belly. To make sinigang, start by simmering meat in water with onions and tomatoes.

Add tamarind paste or a sinigang mix packet for sourness. Toss in vegetables like taro, okra, and water spinach.

They add texture and nutrition. Finish with shrimp for extra flavor. Serve your sinigang hot with steamed rice.

It’s perfect for rainy days or when you need a warm, comforting meal.

22. Jjampong

Jjampong is a spicy Korean-Chinese seafood noodle soup. You’ll find this hearty dish packed with a variety of seafood like mussels, shrimp, and squid. The broth is rich and flavorful, made with a mix of pork, vegetables, and spices.

Korean chili powder gives it a distinctive red color and spicy kick. To make jjampong, you’ll start by cooking the meat and seafood. Then add vegetables and noodles to the spicy broth.

The result is a comforting soup perfect for cold days. You can customize the spice level and seafood mix to your liking. Serve jjampong hot with some kimchi on the side for a satisfying meal.

23. Bun Rieu

Bun rieu is a tasty Vietnamese noodle soup. It has a tomato-based broth that’s tangy and savory. The soup features rice noodles, crab meat, and pork. You’ll find meatballs made from crab and shrimp in the soup.

Fried tofu adds texture. Fresh herbs and vegetables make it even better. To make bun rieu, you start by cooking the broth. Add tomatoes, crab paste, and pork bones for flavor.

Then make the meatballs and cook them in the soup. Serve bun rieu with rice noodles and toppings.

Common add-ins are bean sprouts, banana flowers, and lime. This soup is perfect for any time of year.

24. Ganjang Gejang

Ganjang Gejang is a Korean dish of raw crabs marinated in soy sauce. To make it, you freeze live crabs briefly before cleaning them. Mix soy sauce, water, chili pepper, ginger, apple, kelp, onion, garlic, and rice syrup for the marinade.

Boil this mixture for about an hour. Pour the cooled marinade over the prepared crabs. Let them soak for several days in the fridge, turning occasionally.

Serve the marinated crabs cold. The soy sauce infuses the crab meat with rich, savory flavors. This dish is often enjoyed with steamed rice.

25. Kenchinjiru

Kenchinjiru is a hearty Japanese vegetable soup with roots in Buddhist temple cuisine. You’ll love this nourishing dish packed with nutritious ingredients. To make kenchinjiru, you start by sautéing root vegetables like carrots, daikon radish, and burdock root in sesame oil.

Then add cubed tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and konnyaku (konjac) jelly. Pour in dashi stock and simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Season with soy sauce, mirin, and sake for depth of flavor. The result is a comforting soup brimming with veggies in a light, flavorful broth. Kenchinjiru is perfect for chilly days when you want something warming and healthy.

It’s also a great way to use up extra vegetables in your fridge.

Health Benefits of Asian Soups

Asian soups pack a punch of nutrition and wellness benefits. They use ingredients that can boost your health in many ways. Let’s look at two key areas where these soups shine.

Nutrient-Rich Ingredients

Asian soups are full of good-for-you ingredients. Many use bone broth as a base. This broth has minerals that help your bones and joints.

Veggies like bok choy, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots add fiber and vitamins. These help your digestion and keep you feeling full. Spices like ginger, garlic, and turmeric fight inflammation in your body.

They can ease pain and swelling. Protein sources like tofu, chicken, and fish give you the building blocks for strong muscles. They also help you feel satisfied after your meal.

Immune-Boosting Properties

Asian soups can give your immune system a lift. Many recipes use chicken broth, which may help you feel better when you’re sick. Garlic and onions in these soups have natural germ-fighting powers.

They can help your body defend itself against bugs. Chili peppers often found in Asian soups have vitamin C. This vitamin is key for a strong immune system. Fermented ingredients like miso paste add good bacteria to your gut.

A healthy gut plays a big role in your overall immune health.

Essential Ingredients in Asian Soups

Asian soups rely on a blend of key ingredients to create their unique flavors. These include spices, herbs, broths, and stocks that form the foundation of many popular recipes.

Typical Asian Spices and Herbs

Ginger adds a zesty kick to soups and aids digestion. Garlic brings a savory depth and aroma. Lemongrass gives a citrusy note to Thai and Vietnamese dishes.

Star anise lends a licorice-like flavor to Chinese soups. Cilantro adds freshness as a garnish. Basil, especially Thai basil, brings a sweet and peppery taste. Chili peppers, fresh or dried, bring heat to many recipes.

Turmeric gives a golden color and earthy flavor to Indian soups. Kaffir lime leaves add a distinct citrus aroma to Southeast Asian broths.

Use of Broths and Stocks

Chicken broth forms the base of many Asian soups. It’s light yet flavorful.

Beef stock creates richer soups like Vietnamese pho.

Dashi, a Japanese stock made from kelp and bonito flakes, is key in miso soup. Vegetable broth works well for lighter soups and vegetarian options.

Fish stock adds depth to seafood-based soups. Mushroom broth gives an umami boost to vegetarian recipes.

Coconut milk creates creamy textures in Thai curries and soups.

Adding soy sauce or fish sauce to broths enhances savory flavors. Miso paste brings a salty, fermented taste to Japanese-inspired soups.