17 Simple Chinese Soup Recipes

Replicating a warming bowl of restaurant-style Chinese soup can seem like an impossible task. Luckily, these Chinese soup recipes make it super easy.  

Each one of these soups melds essential Chinese ingredients to build the perfect homemade bowl.

From classic egg drop soup to dessert soups, there’s a Chinese soup recipe on this list that you can easily whip up no matter your level of expertise. 

Forget takeout, because tonight, you’re dining in. 

1. Chinese Noodle Soup

With Chinese noodle soup, you get a nutrient-rich bowl that’ll quickly satisfy a hungry belly. 

Tender ramen noodles, blanched bok choy, shredded chicken, and scallions cook in a perfectly seasoned broth. 

While this recipe is beyond easy, you’ll want to incorporate some essential Chinese ingredients.

This includes sesame oil, Chinese cooking wine, and soy sauce.

2. Chinese Vegetable Soup

Chinese vegetable soup is proof that clean eating can taste great. This detoxifying soup is low in calories and big on fresh veggies. 

In a large pot, boil vegetable broth, then add mushrooms, carrots, bok choy, garlic, and ginger. 

Don’t forget a dash of sesame oil and soy sauce! 

3. Chinese Rice Cake Soup

Rice cake soup, or niángāo tāng, is thought to be a popular Korean soup. But it’s big in China, too!

Commonly eaten during the lunar new year, rice cakes have a light and chewy texture.

This recipe calls for store-bought rice cakes, but you can use homemade if you prefer. 

For the rest of the soup, you’ll want to marinate pork or chicken in Shaoxing wine and soy sauce.

Then, add in fresh veggies like carrots, napa cabbage, and scallions into the brothy base.

4. Wonton Soup

Biting into tender, savory wontons makes me feel giddy inside. Add them to a soup, and you’ll have a match made in heaven!

Wonton soup is a staple in Chinese cuisine and a must for homemade soup recipes. 

Doughy pockets of wontons are stuffed with a satiating ground pork filling. Then dropped into a clear, umami enhanced broth. 

The result is pure yumminess. 

5. Mushroom Noodle Soup

Here’s another one of my favorite Chinese noodle recipes, and it’s loaded with fresh umami flavor. 

It’s rich in mushrooms, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and a handful of green onions for freshness. 

You can even opt for more veggies and toss in bok choy or broccoli. I like to add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce for a spicy kick.

No need for a restaurant here. This soup is way better than takeout!

6. Yunnan Rice Noodle Soup

Yunnan is a province in China that’s famous for its noodles. One chopstick full of this recipe and you’ll easily see why. 

Each personal-sized pot blends tang with spice for a blissful bowl that speaks to your savory soul. 

Just to give you a taste, marinated ground pork is stir-fried in a wok with fragrant garlic and chilis.

That’s added to a piping hot stock full of chewy rice noodles, pickled cabbage, and fresh scallions.

Is your mouth watering yet? Because mine is!

7. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a Chinese classic you can easily whip up at home.

Simply combine store-bought chicken, diced tomatoes, and a couple of eggs into a pot. Simmer for a few minutes, and this soup is ready to go. 

This quick recipe takes about 15 minutes and tastes sensational. 

8. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is one of the most popular dishes on Chinese menus in America. While there are numerous variations, this one is my favorite. 

The heat of Asian chili paste pairs wonderfully with tangy rice vinegar, mild tofu, and a handful of fresh veggies. Throw in a little sugar to round out the flavors.

The result is a vegan soup that packs a flavorful punch!

9. Chinese Watercress Soup

Chinese watercress soup is a true delight. It’s a Cantonese staple that’s refreshingly comforting. 

Blanched pork ribs serve as the hearty base. Meanwhile, handfuls of watercress swim in a simple, gingery broth.

This is a great soup to make when you want a soothing, authentic Cantonese soup. 

10. Ginger and Spring Onion Egg Drop Soup 

This take on egg drop soup adds a refreshing twist. 

It melds whisked eggs with chopped spring onions and mushrooms for a pop of freshness. It even includes minced ginger for a spicy kick. 

To avoid unpalatable rubbery eggs, use some cornstarch or arrowroot in the broth. Trust me, it’ll do the trick.

11. Snow Fungus Soup

Snow fungus may sound funky, but this earthy soup is wildly satisfying. 

Tong sui, or dessert soup, is an authentic Chinese dessert that’s served after a large meal.

This recipe features snow fungus which has a mild flavor and gelatinous texture. It’s paired with dates, lotus berries, dried longan, and lotus seed. 

Sweet in flavor, snow fungus soup is full of health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties. 

12. Chinese Pear Dessert Soup 

Another popular Chinese dessert soup is pear dessert soup. It features juicy pear that tastes even better than it looks. 

Spiced pears are steamed until perfectly tender. A drizzle of honey and Chinese dates are added to sweeten the deal. 

Ladle one pear per bowl and serve. Don’t forget to ladle some of the sweet broth on top, too!

13. Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup with Bok Choy

This foolproof recipe is my idea of happiness on a cold, blustery day. 

Star anise, ginger, and red chili flakes give it a warming kick. While bok choy, cremini mushrooms, and rice noodles mellow out the bowl. 

Choose your favorite protein or keep it simple with veggies. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add in some gently poached shrimp.

14. Red Bean Soup

Save room for dessert because you won’t want to skip out on this red bean soup.

While it may sound pretty basic, I guarantee the flavors are dazzling. 

Adzuki beans are blended to create a thick base. Sugar adds a sweet touch while orange zest enhances the taste.

Throw in some tapioca pearls and you have a delicious Chinese dessert.  

15. Hot and Sour Coconut Noodle Soup

A take on tom yum, this hot and sour soup gives a Chinese twist to a Thai classic.

The bright kick from the lemongrass and creamy coconut base is a harmonious blend of perfection. 

Adjust the spice level to your liking by using more or less bird’s eye chilis. 

16. Coconut Mango Sago Dessert Soup

After a big meal of your favorite authentic Chinese recipes, end on a tropical note with this coconut mango sago. 

The sago, or starch, in this dish is tapioca pearls. Combine that with fresh mango, coconut milk, and sugar for a sweet treat.  

This is a fantastic soup when you want a hint of sweetness minus the heavy dessert.

17. Chinese Cabbage and Ginger Soup

It doesn’t get any easier than this three-ingredient Chinese soup!

Add chicken broth, napa cabbage, and ginger to a pot. Then let it simmer away.

What I love about this recipe is its simplicity. However, you can doctor it up with more spices if you like. 

Cozy up with a bowl and sip away!