This Asian Noodle Soup is dairy, gluten and grain free and one of the most nutritious and nourishing meals about. When the weather is hot and humid as it is at this time of year, I often crave a simple soup. Not a heavy chunky or blended soup but an Asian style spicy broth. As I like to make everything I feed my family as nourishing and tasty as possible, I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to do so. So here it is and as always, with lots of versions to suit your taste and dietary requirements.
Health benefits
Starting with bone broth, the most nourishing ‘super food’ and digestive tonic of all. For all you need to know about bone broth and how to make it click here. Next is one of my favourite ingredients – rehydrating and mineral rich coconut water! For why it is so very nutritious, click here. A good dose of protein and stacks of vegetables…what more could you ask for from a meal?
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
Asian Noodle Soup - (supercharged gluten and grain free version)
Ingredients
- 400 ml chicken stock or bone broth -or chicken stock
- 330 ml coconut water
- 3 cm ginger root -peeled and finely sliced
- 2 clove/s garlic -peeled and finely sliced
- 1 red onion/s -peeled, halved and finely sliced
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 kaffir lime leaf (optional but recommended)
- 500 g chicken thigh or breast
- 2-3 cups vegetables (I've used sliced carrot, broccoli florets, shitake mushrooms, snow peas)
- 200 g noodles (of your choice) (I used a mix of zucchini noodles and a small pack of konjac noodles which are grain free and very much like a rice noodle, available in the health section of the supermarket or health food shops). You could also use rice noodles which are available in the Asian section of the supermarket.
- 1 lime/s -juice
- 1 red chilli/s -or chilli flakes, to taste
- ¼ bunch/s fresh Vietnamese mint leaves -or regular mint, coriander leaves and Thai basil are delicious (but optional)
Method
- In a medium size pot, add the broth, ginger, garlic, red onion, kaffir lime leaf and fish sauce and bring to a slow simmer.
- Drop in your chicken and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and shred or slice. Set aside.
- Now add your vegetables and simmer for a few minutes until they are just starting to soften. If you are using zucchini noodles, add these now too.
- Add the coconut water and lime juice and bring back up to a simmer and take off the heat immediately.
- Taste it and make sure it has a nice balance of sweetness (from the coconut water), saltiness from the fish sauce and sour from the lime juice. Adjust any of the flavours if needed.
- In a deep bowl place your rinsed and drained konjac noodles (or softened rice noodles). Pour over the broth and divide your vegetables and chicken (returning any juices from cutting) between the bowls.
- Garnish with chilli and fresh Asian herbs.
Tip
- You can also make this using left over cooked chicken. If you do this you can skip the second stage of the method.
Make ahead
- Re-heat in a pot over a low heat until just hot.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Variations
Gluten-free
Choose a gluten-free noodle.Grain-free
Choose a grain-free noodle like zoodles.Coconut-free
Replace the coconut water with more broth.Vegetarian
You can substitute the chicken with egg (I'd make a thin omelette and add that sliced) and replace the fish sauce with a good pinch of sea salt. Use a vegetable broth to replace the chicken broth.Vegan
Add extra mushrooms and tempeh and replace the fish sauce with a good pinch of sea salt. Use a vegetable broth to replace the chicken broth.Onion and garlic-free
Replace the onion and garlic with an extra 2 cm piece of ginger.Like this recipe or have a question? Post in the comments below.
Jeli Rad says
Well nourished by Natural Raw C x
Kirsty Russell says
Well Nourished by Natural Raw C …. I love their Coconut water!
Jon Harris says
Well Nourished by Natural Raw C! Love it.
Jollyjumbles says
This recipe sounds delicious and nutritious and looks
Yummy! Thanks foe sharing.
Georgia Harding says
You’re very welcome, it is a very tasty meal. G x
Simona says
Well nourished by Natural Raw C!,
Hannah says
Well Nourished Natural Raw C….yum had not thought of using it in a soup before..
Georgia Harding says
Yes, adds a lovely sweetness, G x
Georgia Harding says
Yes, adds a lovely sweetness, G x
Judy says
Just had the Asian Noodle soup for dinner – it was yummy!
Georgia Harding says
Oh great, I love it too! G x
Nicole Pearce says
Absolutely delicious G! Feeling poorly at the moment and knew you’d have a yummy recipe for me to try.
Georgia Harding says
This is awesome when you’re feeling run down Nicole. So glad it helped and hope you are feeling better? G x
Katie says
Love this Georgia! A hard-boiled egg halved on top is a nice addition too!
Renee says
Hi Georgia, I messaged you yesterday about bone broth for my 1 year old son, I threw everything into my slow cooker yesterday and left it on low overnight. This morning I woke up strained it and made 2 soups from it. The cauliflower one and this AMAZING Asian noodle soup, I think I have died and gone to heaven. The soup was so tasty and I’m not just saying this but I’m feeling better already. My 1 year old ate that much cauliflower soup I almost died from laughing cause I just kept filling his bowl and he kept wanting more. You are seriously so good at what you do and thank your for always sharing your recipes and tips with me. Now let’s hope this healing bone broth can kick in very soon & keep myself & my son from getting any more nasties. My husband is being fuelled with all these goodies too & he loved the soup. I’m praying this bone broth can keep the dreaded man flu at bay too hahaha. Thanks so much again
Georgia Harding says
Agree Renee, anything to keep man flu away has to be a good thing!! Glad you are feeling better and thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it G x
Tobi says
I look forward to making this one. Query please: Do you have a preference for rice noodles over Buckwheat soba noodles?
Georgia Harding says
Brown rice noodles or Buckwheat soba are both okay Tobi (as long as no additives/ vegetable oils in ingredients) G x
Deb says
What are Konjac noodles made from?
Georgia Harding says
From a starchy root vegetable by the same name Deb G x
Becky Beale says
Food for the soul! I haven’t made this since last winter when I was the sickest I had ever been and it instantly made me feel so much better. Nice to enjoy it this time around when I’m in full health. Thanks for such a delicious wholesome recipe. Definitely one of my faves x
Georgia Harding says
So glad you love it Becky and thanks for the 5 ?s G x
Kirsty Thompson says
Wow, this soup is amazing. Thankyou!
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your feedback Kirsty G x
Ashley says
This soup is exactly as the description says…it feels like a hug in a bowl!
You can just feel that it’s good for you!
I really enjoyed it. Super nourishing and super quick and easy to make. My kids actually enjoyed this one too!
Georgia Harding says
So pleased it was a winner Ashley and enjoyed all round. Cheers for your feedback and the 5 stars too G x