From ramen to wonton soup to miso soup and tom kha (and all stops in between), learn how to make these delicious and easy Asian soup recipes from the comfort of your own kitchen.
The time I spent working and living in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore presented me with opportunities to seek out everything from savory and delicate miso soup – to fiery noodle soup – to curry based soups – and medicinal clear broths.
What I love most about Asian soups is how different they can be. Some are delicate and soothing, others are rich and spicy, and a few hit that perfect balance of salty, sour, and umami all at once. They make a great side dish to salads and mains such as fried rice and stir fries.
This collection brings together my favorite Asian soup recipes—from quick weeknight bowls to deeply flavorful broths that taste like they’ve been simmering all day. Whether you’re craving something light, hearty, or spicy, there’s something here for you. Most of these recipes can be prepared at home in a short amount of time.
Types of Soups
Before getting started, here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll find in this list:
- Clear broths – light, clean flavors
- Noodle soups – hearty and filling enough to be eaten as a full meal
- Coconut-based soups – creamy, rich, slightly sweet and nutty
- Spicy soups – bold, warming, and packed with heat
- Comfort soups – simple, nourishing, and easy to make
These are some of the best Asian soups for beginners because they are simple and straightforward + most of them take under 30 minutes to make.
Basic Pantry Staples
Most Asian soups rely on a few key ingredients:
- Broth: Dashi, kombu dashi, chicken broth, vegetable broth, coconut milk
- Seasoning: Soy sauce, miso paste, mirin, gochujang, fish sauce, sugar
- Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, green onions, seaweed
- Flavored oils: Sesame oil, chili oil, scallion oil
Once you have these basics, you can make dozens of different soups without overthinking it.
Miso Soup
If you’re new to Asian soups, start with this miso soup recipe, which happens to be my mother’s recipe! Only 4 ingredients are needed and it’s ready to be served in under 15 minutes. It’s simple, comforting, and full of umami earthy goodness. Click on the video above to watch the tutorial!
Eggplant Miso Soup
An easy miso soup recipe with melt in your mouth pieces of eggplant, fried tofu strips, crunchy green onions, and served in a delicate miso broth. Miso soup comes with many different filling options – eggplant is one of my favorites!
Easy Homemade Wonton Soup
This deeply flavorful wonton soup is brimming with pillowy dumplings stuffed with cabbage and carrots, swimming in a nutty and savory broth. No meat is needed to make this meal outstanding!
Classic Egg Drop Soup (Chinese)
This recipe is the old school egg drop soup found in every Chinese restaurant across the world. It’s delicate, nutty, a little salty and eggy.
Japanese Egg Drop Soup (Kakitamajiru)
This is the Japanese version of the classic Chinese egg drop soup. The result is a soup that’s a lighter on the gooeyness and uses dashi instead of chicken broth. I love its simplicity and how it pairs well with just about anything – and is ready to serve in just 10 minutes!
Vegan Egg Drop Soup
This is an easy plant based egg drop soup that’s full of umami and earthy flavors. Made with soy milk, mushrooms, and miso paste, it’s a healthy and delicious egg-free alternative.
Hot And Sour Soup
An authentic Chinese hot and sour soup recipe that only takes me 15 minutes to make from start to finish. For this this hot and sour soup, I’m using a mix bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu for texture and heft. The soup is kept simple – chicken broth, vinegar, and sesame oil.
Korean Seaweed Soup (Tofu Miyeok-Guk)
A light and cleansing soup made with Korean seaweed, silken tofu, and enoki mushrooms, cooked in a delicate dashi broth.
Tom Kha Soup (Thai Coconut Soup)
This silky and milky tom kha soup is loaded with aromatic flavors and only takes 17 minutes to make from start to finish. Not too sweet or pungent, this is an authentic Thai recipe that will take you back to your last trip in Southeast Asia!
Fish Ball Soup
Packed with protein rich ingredients and served in a savory and fragrant broth, this delicious fish ball soup has the classic Southeast Asian flavor profile that everyone loves.
Thai Rice Soup (Khao Tom)
A light, comforting Thai rice soup that only takes 20 minutes to make from start to finish.
Red Coconut Curry Soup
This smoky, nutty and sweet red coconut curry soup taste like Southeast Asia in a bowl. Authentic flavors in just over a half-hour.
Baby Bok Choy Soup
A wonderful thing happens when you mix garlic and ginger with a savory broth. This fragrant rice noodle soup has a deep umami flavor from broth (perfumed by dried shiitake mushrooms) that permeates both the noodles and the bok choy. I use baby bok choy for its pliant crunch. This is my go-to Asian noodle soup in the summertime.
Easy Beef Pho – Phở Bò
Slurp your noodles with abandon in 30 minutes with this easy pho recipe! A quick, satisfying and full-flavor version of Vietnam’s national dish.
Jjamppong (Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup)
Jjamppong is Korea’s favorite seafood noodle soup. It’s a popular Korean noodle soup made with a spicy and smoky seafood broth seasoned with gochugaru, and topped with vegetables and seafood.
Miso Kimchi Ramen
Topped with bean sprouts, sweet corn, toasted garlic, and scallion oil – this kimchi ramen is proof that you can enjoy restaurant quality ramen at home. Top with bean sprouts and sweet corn for a homemade ramen experience you’ll come back to again and again.
Shio Ramen (Salt Flavored Ramen)
Inspired by the traditional Hakodate ramen, this shio ramen recipe is simple and takes less than 30 minutes to make! The broth is clear and light and has a briny and savory taste. Just like with all ramen broths, the list of ingredients will slightly vary from shop to shop but the preparation usually involves a mix of dried seafood, kelp, salt, garlic and ginger.
Shoyu Ramen (Soy Sauce Ramen)
25 minutes is all it takes to make my restaurant quality Japanese shoyu ramen at home. The broth is a simple combination of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and dashi. The result is earthy, umami, not too salty, and perfectly comforting!
Vegetable Champon
This vegetable champon recipe is a lighter version of Nagasaki champon, made with a mix of dashi and chicken broth, and topped with vegetables and crab sticks.
Kitsune Udon
Kitsune udon is a traditional udon noodle soup served in a delicate, salty, and umami broth and is topped with sweet inari age pouches. It’s delicious, comforting, and only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!
Classic Udon Soup (Kake Udon)
This is a classic udon soup recipe showcasing the simplicity of Japanese cooking at its best. The udon noodles are served in a light and savory broth and topped with various toppings, filling enough to be served for lunch or dinner. And it only take 15 minutes to make from start to finish.
Curry Udon – Japanese Noodle Soup with Curry Broth
Few dishes hit the comfort-food sweet spot quite like curry udon. Thick, chewy udon noodles are served in a savory curry broth that’s warm, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that feels cozy and filling, yet simple enough to make after a busy day.
Ozoni
Ozoni is a traditional Japanese soup served on New Year’s Day. It’s made with various ingredients such as vegetables, seafood, meats, and mochi (rice cakes). The flavors are delicate, comforting and pair perfectly with the sweetness and chewiness of mochi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Miso soup, ramen, pho, and wonton soup are among the most well-known, each offering very different flavors and textures.
Many Asian soups are light and nutrient-dense, often made with broth, vegetables, and lean proteins.
It usually comes down to the broth—ingredients like ginger, garlic, miso, fish sauce, and slow-simmered bones create depth of flavor.
No. While some broths take hours (e.g.: tonkotsu ramen), many recipes can be made in 20–30 minutes using shortcuts like dashi powder or store-bought stock.
