Winter time has officially started in Europe. Temperatures have finally dropped after a seemingly endless and hot summer. As our bodies learn to get used to the cold weather again, there’s no better way to warm up than a bowl of hot soup.
Asian soups are rich and diverse in flavor. While the distinctive thick broth is a common characteristics of Asian soups, ingredients and taste varies greatly, per country and even locally. For example Philippine soups are less spicy than its Malaysian or Singaporean counterparts. Meanwhile, Thai and Indonesian soups may feature ingredients like coconut milk than meat-based broth like Japanese soups.
Making a traditional soup requires time and patience. For a tasty soup, the broth alone requires hours of simmering to extract the rich flavor of chicken, pork, beef or vegetables. Choosing the right protein and mixing it with the right ingredients takes many cooking failures to master. For spice-rich soups, getting the right mix is crucial. Also important is selecting the proper type of vegetables to give the soup a good texture.
We list down our favorite Asian soups to warm up your meals in the coming cold months.
Sinigang (Philippines)
Of course we are biased to sinigang. Sinigang a sour Filipino soup, known for its distinct tamarind-based broth, is a staple in the Pinoy kitchen. Pork, shrimp, or fish are often used, alongside vegetables like water spinach, radish, and eggplant.
Ramen (Japan)
Ramen is a Japanese favorite, featuring wheat noodles served in a savory broth. The toppings and flavors can vary widely, from shoyu (soy sauce) to miso and tonkotsu (pork bone) broths. It’s customizable to your taste.
Wonton Soup (China)
Wonton soup is a simple yet satisfying Chinese classic. It consists of delicate dumplings filled with minced pork or shrimp, served in a clear broth with greens like bok choy.
Hot and Sour Soup (China)
This popular Chinese soup balances the contrasting flavors of heat and tang. It typically contains ingredients like tofu, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, with a dash of vinegar and chili pepper for that signature taste.
Laksa (Malaysia and Singapore)
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup, available in various regional variations. It’s characterized by its rich coconut milk broth, and the addition of shrimp, chicken, or tofu, along with a medley of spices.
Soto Ayam (Indonesia)
Soto Ayam is an Indonesian chicken soup enriched with turmeric, galangal, and lemongrass. Served with rice, bean sprouts, and a hard-boiled egg, it’s a warming and flavorful meal.
Kimchi Jjigae (South Korea)
Kimchi Jjigae is a hearty Korean soup made with fermented kimchi, tofu, vegetables, and often pork or beef. It’s known for its spicy and umami-rich flavors, which have become a staple in Korean cuisine.
Tom Yum (Thailand)
Tom Yum is a Thai hot and sour soup that packs a punch with its combination of lemongrass, lime leaves, and Thai bird’s eye chili. Shrimp or chicken, along with mushrooms, make this soup an explosion of spicy and tangy goodness.
Pho (Vietnam)
Pho, the beloved Vietnamese noodle soup, is renowned for its aromatic broth, rice noodles, and tender slices of beef or chicken. Garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, it’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Tom Kha Gai (Thailand)
Tom Kha Gai is a creamy Thai coconut soup that balances the sweetness of coconut milk with the tang of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. It typically includes chicken, mushrooms, and Thai spices.
The good news is, you don’t have to slave away in the kitchen to enjoy your favorite soup. Asian noodle soups could be enjoyed in the comforts of your home.
Asian Food Lovers, the home of Asian food in Europe, offers a wide variety of instant Asian soups to choose from. Also perfect for a warm lunch at work. We picked up some of our favorites:
Shop your favorite Asian noodles soup at www.asianfoodlovers.com and get 10% discount when you use the code FILIPINO10 at checkout.
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