14 Southeast Asian Soups That Bring Flavor and Comfort

Southeast Asia is home to some of the most flavorful and comforting soups in the world. These soups, rich in history and tradition, bring together a variety of spices, fresh herbs, and vibrant ingredients that are sure to warm your soul.

Tom Yum Goong (Thailand)

Tom Yum Goong combines shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and Thai chilies in a fragrant broth of chicken stock. Bring the broth to a boil, add the aromatics, and let them infuse for a few minutes. Add shrimp and mushrooms, cooking until the shrimp turn pink. Season with fish sauce, lime juice, and a hint of sugar, then garnish with fresh cilantro for a spicy, sour, and aromatic soup that warms from the inside out.

Pho Bo (Vietnam)

Pho Bo is a classic Vietnamese beef noodle soup made by simmering beef bones with onions, ginger, and spices like star anise and cinnamon for hours to create a rich broth. Add thin slices of beef, rice noodles, and a mix of fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint. Serve the soup steaming hot with a squeeze of lime and optional hoisin and sriracha sauce on the side for a meal that’s both hearty and refreshing.

Laksa (Malaysia/Singapore)

Laksa blends coconut milk, lemongrass, dried shrimp, and spices into a rich, spicy broth, served over rice noodles with prawns or chicken. Begin by sautéing a spice paste made from chilies, garlic, and lemongrass. Add coconut milk and stock, simmering until the flavors meld. Toss in prawns or chicken, cook through, then ladle over noodles, finishing with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime for a comforting, spicy treat.

Soto Ayam (Indonesia)

Soto Ayam is a comforting Indonesian chicken soup with a turmeric-based broth. Start by boiling chicken with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and ginger until tender. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot with potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and glass noodles. Finish the soup with a squeeze of lime, fresh herbs, and a dash of sambal for a bright and hearty dish perfect for any time of day.

Mohinga (Myanmar)

Mohinga, Myanmar’s beloved fish soup, starts with simmering catfish, lemongrass, onions, and garlic in a fish broth, thickened with toasted rice powder. Add rice noodles, banana stem, and a touch of fish sauce to the rich, savory broth. Garnish with hard-boiled eggs, crispy fritters, and fresh cilantro for a satisfying breakfast or lunch that embodies the heart of Burmese cuisine.

Tinola (Philippines)

Tinola is a Filipino chicken soup known for its light and healthy broth. Cook chicken with ginger, onions, and garlic in water until the meat is tender. Add wedges of green papaya or chayote and leafy greens like spinach or malunggay. Season with fish sauce and pepper, simmer until the vegetables are soft, and serve hot with steamed rice for a comforting, nourishing meal.

Kaeng Som (Thailand)

Kaeng Som is a Thai sour curry soup made with tamarind, fish, and vegetables. Start by dissolving tamarind paste in water, then add a curry paste made from red chilies, garlic, and shallots. Boil the mixture and add fish fillets and vegetables like green beans or pumpkin. Simmer until the fish is cooked, adjusting the sourness with more tamarind if needed. Serve over rice for a tangy, spicy dish that’s packed with flavor.

Bak Kut Teh (Malaysia/Singapore)

Bak Kut Teh, a flavorful pork rib soup, starts with simmering pork ribs in a broth seasoned with garlic, star anise, and pepper. Add soy sauce and let it cook slowly until the meat is tender. Serve with a side of steamed rice, fresh lettuce, and a dipping sauce made from chopped garlic and chilies in soy sauce. This hearty soup is perfect for cold days when you need something warming and satisfying.

Sup Ekor (Malaysia)

Sup Ekor, or Malaysian oxtail soup, is made by simmering oxtail with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves in a rich broth. Add carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes to the pot and cook until the meat is tender and the vegetables are soft. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of lime juice, then garnish with fresh cilantro. This soup is both filling and fragrant, a true comfort food classic.

Hủ Tiếu (Vietnam)

Hủ Tiếu is a versatile Vietnamese noodle soup made with pork or seafood in a light, clear broth. Start by simmering pork bones or seafood with garlic, shallots, and daikon. Add wide rice noodles, and top with sliced pork, shrimp, or squid, along with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and fried garlic. The result is a light yet satisfying soup that’s perfect for breakfast or lunch.

Sayur Asem (Indonesia)

Sayur Asem is an Indonesian tamarind-based vegetable soup that’s both tangy and refreshing. Boil tamarind paste with water, then add vegetables like long beans, corn, and chayote. Season the broth with ground peanuts, chilies, and shrimp paste, and cook until the vegetables are tender. This light and sour soup pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and fried fish for a balanced, wholesome meal.

Kuy Teav (Cambodia)

Kuy Teav is a Cambodian noodle soup made with pork or beef, garnished with fresh herbs and lime. Simmer bones with garlic, star anise, and sugar to create a rich broth, then add rice noodles and slices of pork or beef. Garnish with bean sprouts, fried garlic, and fresh herbs like basil and cilantro. This soup is perfect for breakfast or lunch, offering a light and fragrant experience with every bite.

Gaeng Jued (Thailand)

Gaeng Jued is a mild Thai soup with tofu, minced pork, and glass noodles. Start by simmering water with garlic, soy sauce, and white pepper. Add minced pork balls, tofu, and glass noodles, cooking until everything is tender. Season with a little fish sauce and top with chopped cilantro. This clear, comforting soup is perfect for those looking for something light yet flavorful.

La Paz Batchoy (Philippines)

La Paz Batchoy is a hearty Filipino noodle soup made with pork offal, liver, and crushed pork cracklings. Boil pork bones and meat to create a rich broth, then add egg noodles and sliced pork liver. Top with crushed pork cracklings, fried garlic, and scallions. This soup is both savory and satisfying, perfect for a filling meal that’s full of traditional Filipino flavors.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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