Asian soups are as diverse and rich as the continent they come from. We gathered the most popular options, offering everything from soothing broths to classic egg drop soup and hearty bowls of noodles.
22 Popular Asian Soups That Will Comfort You to Your Core
Updated on Apr. 30, 2025
1/22
Miso Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Curl up with a steamy bowl of miso soup. It would be a comforting meatless Monday meal when you need something delicious and lightning fast. You'll love the flavorful broth, made with dashi powder, gingerroot and miso, for its bold pop of savory goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cup: 233 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3733mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
2/22
Wonton Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Wonton soup has been a Chinese tradition for hundreds of years and has a very satisfying taste and texture. The wontons have a smooth wrapper and hearty filling and are enveloped in a rich chicken stock. —Yuan Hendricks, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 241 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 1210mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
3/22
Chinese Beef Noodle Soup
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This peppercorn-infused beef soup is brimming with comfort, spice and classic Chinese ingredients: gingerroot, star anise, chili bean paste and Sichuan chilis. Serve this soup piping hot with noodles and a scattering of freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. —Tria Wen, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 512 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1963mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 35g protein.
4/22
Chicken Ramen
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A package of store-bought ramen noodles speeds up assembly of this colorful broth with shrimp and carrots. My mother passed the recipe on to me. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 148 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 857mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
5/22
Tom Kha Gai
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This irresistible coconut chicken soup recipe is infused with classic Thai ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, chiles, and makrut (or kaffir) lime leaves. It's creamy yet tangy, comforting but light ... and simply bursting with flavor. Ladle it over jasmine rice, and serve it with lime wedges and a little hot chili oil if you like. —Malina Syvoravong, Los Angeles, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 502 calories, 29g fat (21g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.
If you love tom kha gai, you may also love khao soi, a Thai coconut curry noodle soup with chicken.
6/22
Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kimchi soup is a staple recipe in any Korean food lover's kitchen. It is made with aged kimchi, which is fermented cabbage that provides a strong, deep flavor and is an excellent source of probiotics. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
7/22
Coconut Curry Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Similar to a Vietnamese pho rice noodle soup, this red coconut curry chicken soup packs big flavor and a bit of heat. The crisp raw vegetables help cool things down. —Monnie Norasing, Mansfield, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 601 calories, 34g fat (26g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 1722mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein.
8/22
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Total Time
6 hours
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pho is one of Vietnam's most well-known dishes. For many families, the cooking of the dish is a true labor of love and care. With its aromatic broth, slurpable rice noodles and many delicious garnish options, it is very easy to customize a bowl to suit your tastes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup noodles with 3/4 cup broth and 4 ounces cooked beef: 507 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1351mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 44g protein.
9/22
Hot and Sour Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Hot and sour soup is a pungent and delicious Chinese restaurant dish that’s quick and easy to make at home. In fact, it tastes even better when it’s made in your own kitchen. This is a very mild, family-friendly version, but you can easily adjust the heat factor by varying the amount of chili oil you use. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 149 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 1602mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
10/22
Egg Drop Soup
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We often start our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup—it cooks in just minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give it a rich, golden color. I got the recipe from my grandma’s old cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 39 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
11/22
Pork & Bok Choy Udon Soup
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings 2-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
While traveling in Thailand, my husband sampled a local version of this tasty soup from street vendors. We have tried many variations, and this comes the closest to his recollection. We double the recipe so we have lots of leftovers. —Donna Noecker, Plano, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 225 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1309mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
12/22
Asian Long Noodle Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2 quarts).
From the Recipe Creator:
This flavorful soup is perfect when you want something warm and filling in a hurry. If you can't find long noodles, angel hair pasta is a good substitute. —Carol Emerson, Aransas Pass, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 227 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1078mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 16g protein.
13/22
Vietnamese Chicken Meatball Soup with Bok Choy
Total Time
6 hours 45 min
Servings
8 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Throughout Vietnam, many kinds of soups, called canh, are served all year long. I particularly love having this warm, flavorful bowl of Vietnamese chicken soup on laid-back weekends, but it's also great packed in a Thermos for lunch. It's the perfect bok choy soup too! —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 147 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 836mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
14/22
Asian Vegetable-Beef Soup
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband is Korean American, and I enjoy working Asian flavors into our menus. This tasty soup was something I put together one night with what we had in our fridge. Everyone loved it! —Mollie Lee, Eugene, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup soup with 3/4 cup rice: 379 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 621mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
15/22
Thai Curry Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My go-to Thai restaurant inspired this curry soup. Shiitake mushrooms are my favorite, but any fresh mushroom will work. Fresh basil and lime add a burst of bright flavors. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 289 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 772mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.
16/22
Asian Tofu Noodle Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ginger, garlic and sherry jazz up this soup loaded with veggies and noodles. We like to accent ours with peanuts and green onions. —Diana Rios, Lytle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 339 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1961mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
17/22
Ceylon Chicken Curry Noodle Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This comforting chicken curry noodle soup is a take on a soup I ate during childhood. The ingredients boost your immune system, and you can easily make the soup vegan or vegetarian. —Sarita Gelner, Chesterfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 316 calories, 16g fat (11g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
18/22
Red Curry Carrot Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
With its mix of delicious colors, textures and flavors, this soup is something special. —Dilnaz Heckman, Buckley, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 438 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 1059mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
19/22
Creamy Cauliflower Pakora Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I often crave pakoras, which are deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie: cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 135 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 645mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
20/22
Curry Lentil Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This curry soup might be vegan, but it's still as creamy as ever. If you prefer a meatier bowl, toss some chicken and chicken broth into the recipe. —Kijan Zendi, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 365 calories, 16g fat (16g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein.
21/22
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings (5 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This slow-cooker soup is a semi-homemade version that coaxes all the flavor out of a rotisserie chicken. The prep work for this can be done the day before, so you can toss it into the slow cooker with ease the day you want to enjoy the soup. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2-1/2 cups (calculated without optional toppings): 398 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 1321mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
22/22
Easy Pot Sticker Soup
Total Time
5 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Since my husband and I have soup often, I’m always coming up with something new. I saw pot stickers in the freezer and decided to feature them in an Asian soup. The results were delicious. Rice vinegar provides just the right tang, and the green onions and carrots add color. Stir in chopped cabbage or bok choy if you'd like. A little sesame oil goes a long way, but you can always add a bit more. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 198 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 1302mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
Asian Soups FAQ
What are the most popular Asian soups?
You can divide the most popular Asian soups into two categories: those with noodles and those without. Some popular Asian noodle soups include Japanese ramen, Vietnamese pho and Chinese beef noodle soup. Beloved classics that don’t contain noodles include miso soup, egg drop soup, wonton soup and Thai tom kha gai.
What ingredients do you need to make Asian soups?
The essential ingredients for Asian soups vary, as every Asian country has its own set of characteristic ingredients. For Japanese recipes like miso soup, you’ll want to stock up on Japanese ingredients like nori sheets and miso paste. Soups like khao soi lean on Thai ingredients like galangal and lemongrass. If you decide to add noodles, there are many to choose from. We recommend starting with rice noodles or medium-width wheat noodles.
How do you make broth for Asian soups?
Building a broth for Asian soup recipes can be a labor of love, but it mostly requires a little time and patience. To create a clear bone broth, you’ll want to soak, wash and blanch your bones beforehand. Then, simmer the bones with water, aromatic vegetables and spices for several hours to coax out maximum flavor. If the soup is an aromatic one, be sure to buy whole spices only, and toast them right before placing them in a cheesecloth to simmer.
Some Asian broths don’t require long simmering times. Many Japanese soups start with dashi, a broth made with dried bonito flakes and a seaweed called kombu. These broths come together quickly (and dashi powder can be used as a quick substitute). Others call for store-bought broth or stock. Some add flavor with additions like gochujang, MSG or coconut milk. If a recipe calls for coconut milk, be sure to read the label carefully, as some brands have specific types for savory cooking.
