Quick & Easy Chinese Soup

My kids love this Chinese soup (nicknamed Kung Fu Panda Soup) and I love that it’s full of veggies and ready in under 30 minutes! Serve a healthy, frugal weeknight meal with authentic Asian flavors.

I love soup. Love, love, LOVE soup.

My family, on the other hand…not so much.

To them, there’s no difference between Potato and Corn Chowder and Hearty Minestrone.

“It’s just soup,” they tell me. Meh.

And they much prefer to have the same soup over and over again. They’ll take Tomato Basil Soup ANY day of the week.

In fact, once when I was sick, Mr. Crumbs and the kids made dinner for me. We had Tomato Basil Soup and grilled cheese (made with Man Bread, of course) for a whole week! I’m still not sure if I’m ready to have tomato soup again…

Personally, I like variety. I want BOLD flavors with lots of different bits and pieces.

That’s what Kung Fu Panda Soup is. Something bold, different, and definitely not like most other soups on our menu.

Even though it’s not tomato soup, my family came around when they tasted this Chinese soup and even had seconds!

I know your family will love this Chinese soup as much as mine does!

QUICK AND EASY CHINESE SOUP

Not only will the whole family love this Chinese soup recipe, but it’s also great because it’s:

Quick and easy. Between your prep time and cooking time, you will have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!
Healthy. Using only simple, real food ingredients, this soup has far less preservatives and sodium than store-bought soups.
Authentic Asian flavors. Between the sesame oil, soy sauce, mushrooms, cabbage, garlic, and ginger, this recipe tastes deliciously authentic. YUM!

INGREDIENTS FOR CHINESE NOODLE SOUP

Water. I first made this Chinese noodle soup recipe with Homemade Chicken Stock and then tried it again with water. The flavor of the chicken broth was overpowering in the soup, so I preferred the water instead.
Soy Sauce. Dark soy sauce can be used in this recipe if that is what you have on hand. It’s more concentrated than light soy sauce, so start with a little less. You can always add more later. You can also use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) or liquid aminos.
Sesame Oil. Sesame oil has almost a nutty flavor to it, and a little bit goes a long way.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. Start with a smaller amount if you prefer less spice (although this soup isn’t super spicy overall).
Sugar. I use coconut sugar or honey. Just a little bit adds depth to the soup and balances the saltiness of the soy sauce.
Fresh Ginger + Onion + Garlic. Fresh ginger really shines in this recipe but dried can work if you’re absolutely in a pinch. Use 1-2 teaspoons, to taste. (One trick to keep fresh ginger readily available is to freeze it! Find out how in this tutorial.)
Carrot + Celery. Fresh veggies that you can easily find year-round at the grocery store.
Fettuccine or Spaghetti Noodles. For gluten-free Chinese noodle soup, substitute rice noodles rather than whole wheat pasta noodles.
Green Cabbage + Mushrooms. Cabbage adds some heft, and mushrooms add to the umami flavor of the soup. Use napa cabbage and shiitake mushrooms for true Asian flavor!
Lime + Green Onions + Cilantro. These are optional toppings, but they add even more flavor to an already delicious soup!
Salt and pepper. To taste.

Some people like to add oyster sauce or mirin to Chinese soup recipes. I didn’t for this Chinese vegetable soup, but you can always try it to add another level of richness.

Psst! Want to kick this soup up a notch? Try finishing this recipe with a pinch of finishing salt! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

Fresh ginger, sliced ginger, grated ginger, and a grater on a cutting board.

HOW TO MAKE CHINESE SOUP RECIPES

Step 1. In a large pot, bring water, soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, and ginger to a boil. (If your family likes it spicy, add the full ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.)

Soy sauce, water, sesame oil, and seasonings bubbling in a large pot for the broth base of the Chinese soup.

Step 2. Meanwhile, start preparing the vegetables and pasta and add them to the Chinese soup in the order listed: onions, garlic, carrots, celery, noodles, cabbage, and mushrooms.

Vegetables, cabbage, liquid, and mushrooms in a large pot.

Tip: I slice/shred the veggies and prep the pasta as the broth is heating to a boil and just add each ingredient as it’s ready.

Chinese noodle soup in a large pot. Close up of a ladle full of homemade soup.

Step 3. The soup is done when the noodles and vegetables are cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.

Homemade Chinese noodle soup (Kung Fu Panda Soup) in a bowl with a spoonful lifted out above it.

Step 4. Serve in bowls with an optional lime wedge, green onion, cilantro, salt, and pepper.

Small bowl of homemade Chinese noodle soup garnished with fresh cilantro, with a spoonful lifted out of it.

Store leftover Chinese noodle soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. If you’re planning on freezing the soup, cook the pasta separately and freeze it in a separate container so that it doesn’t get mushy from soaking up extra liquid.

Homemade Chinese noodle soup in a bowl with a spoonful lifted out of it.

TIPS FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SOUP

Remember, you can plan an extra batch of pasta on your meal plan, just so you’ll have it ready for your Chinese soup recipes!

Also, since you probably can’t buy just 2 ounces of mushrooms, I recommend pairing this soup with Autumn Rice Pilaf on your meal plan. If you still have some mushrooms left, make Risotto and add mushrooms, or caramelize them with onions and make a simple chicken cheesesteak sandwich!

To make this a Chinese CHICKEN soup recipe, add 1 to 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken when the noodles and veggies are almost cooked so that it can warm through. Pork is another protein that works in this soup too!

Overview of homemade Chinese noodle soup in a bowl, garnished with lime wedges, green onions, and cilantro.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHINESE SOUP

Chinese soup can be served for a light meal on its own or as a side dish with one of these yummy dinner recipes.

Bowl of Chinese noodle soup. Chopsticks and a wood spoon nearby.

SOUPS – CHINESE FAQS

Can I omit the sugar in Chinese noodle soup?

I’ve made this recipe with both coconut sugar and honey and didn’t have a preference either way. Feel free to use either one! I wouldn’t omit it completely though, since it helps balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce.

What are popular Chinese soups?

Egg drop soup, wonton soup, and hot and sour soup are all popular in Chinese restaurants. Egg drop soup has thin ribbons of egg dropped into a clear broth, wonton soup features small dumplings, and hot and sour soup usually has more complex flavors and often includes other ingredients like tofu and vegetables. Of these soups – Chinese recipes, this recipe is closest to hot and sour soup, but with less of a kick.

Is Chinese soup cheap to make?

Yes! This noodle soup recipe is super affordable, largely because we’re using seasonal produce for the Chinese soup vegetables. Cabbage is super cheap in the winter, and staple veggies like onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms are affordable year-round. Eating seasonally really does save money!

Can I use leftover spaghetti for Chinese noodle soup?

Yes! Please use your leftover spaghetti or fettuccine from another recipe on your meal plan. If you made extra pasta, use it! Add previously cooked pasta during the last couple minutes of cooking time, when the veggies are nearly done.