1. Chinese Hot Pot
The fun thing about hot pot is that it’s more than just a
bowl of soup—it’s a social event. Everyone crowds around a bubbling pot of
broth and dips in meats, noodles and veggies to cook. You can get a home hot pot setup
or improvise with an Instant Pot in the middle of the table. This guide shows
how to get started.
2. Japanese Ramen
If you’ve never had authentic ramen, note that it is nothing
like instant noodles from the store. Start with a well-seasoned broth, make a “tare”
or sauce and then pick your meat and veggies. Think fresh, colorful and rich
flavors for the best bowl.
3. Japanese Kake Udon
Udon noodles are thick and chewy, which makes for a very
satisfying bowl of soup. A homemade dashi, a soup starter made with kelp, dried
fish flakes called bonito and dried sardines, is key for flavor. Then it’s all
about the noodles and toppings for this relatively simple meal.
4. Vietnamese Phở Bò
A low and slow simmer of the beef broth makes it taste
best. Add in rice noodles, cooked beef or raw, thin slices and onions. This
recipe also helps differentiate between Northern or Southern phở so you can
adjust the broth or toppings accordingly.
5. Korean Samgyetang
Koreans beat the heat of the summer with this nourishing
chicken and ginseng soup, but you can enjoy it anytime you need a pick-me-up.
Stuff the chicken with ginseng and rice, cook it in the pot and serve with the
chicken still whole but tender.
6. Korean Kimchi Jjigae
Fermented kimchi, tofu and canned tuna are added to a
soup and served sizzling-hot in a stone pot in this flavorful dish. The more
aged the kimchi, the deeper the flavor of the soup.
7. Japanese Ozoni Soup
A traditional New Year’s Day soup in Japan, ozoni is a bowl filled
with veggies, chewy mochi rice cakes and miso in a dashi broth. For a garnish,
top with citrus and parsley (traditionally yuzu and mistsuba but you can use
what’s available.)
8. Chinese Wonton Soup
A traditional wonton soup in China is usually made with pork
or shrimp dumplings. This modern version makes it vegan with light veggie dumplings,
made from scratch. Serve in broth and you’re done!
9. Chinese Egg Drop Soup
Keep this recipe in your back pocket when you need a quick,
comforting soup. It’s the equivalent of a scrambled egg for dinner, but even
more satisfying with warm broth and savory seasoning.
10. Chinese Suān là fěn
Otherwise known as hot and sour soup, it’s an explosion
of flavors with mouth numbing spice, sour vinegar and savory notes paired with
chewy glass noodles. This is a summer food in China because it makes you sweat,
thereby cooling you off but it will warm you in the winter too. Roasted peanuts
or soybeans are a perfect toothsome topping.
11. Thai Tom Yum
Another spicy soup, this Thai dish can be served either
clear or creamy (this recipe covers both). Lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime
leaves give the soup sharp, sour flavors to counterbalance the spicy chili
peppers.
12. Malaysian Laksa
Curry paste is the main flavoring of this spicy soup, with coconut
milk for creaminess. Add noodles and fried tofu puffs to soak up the tasty
broth.