Description
Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup with Bok Choy is a quick, nutritious, and comforting soup recipe made in just 20 minutes. Featuring a flavorful vegetarian broth infused with ginger, garlic, and star anise, it includes tender noodles, mushrooms, and fresh baby bok choy. This versatile soup can be customized by adding proteins like chicken or shrimp and is perfect for a soothing meal, especially during cold or flu season.
Ingredients
Sauté Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 shallots, diced
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped (white and green parts divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
Broth and Flavorings
- 5.5 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegan option)
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten free option)
Main Ingredients
- 10 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 6 oz rice noodles
- 1.5 heads bok choy, roughly chopped
Toppings
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Green parts of green onions, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté shallots: In a medium-sized stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced shallots and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and softened, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Prepare green onions: Separate the green onions by chopping off the ends. Divide the white parts from the green tops. Set the green parts aside for garnishing, and finely chop the white parts.
- Add aromatics: Add the chopped white parts of green onions, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the shallots. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic and ginger.
- Add broth and seasonings: Carefully pour in the low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the whole star anise and soy sauce. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Remove star anise: Remove the lid and carefully fish out each star anise pod from the pot and discard it to prevent over-flavoring or bitterness.
- Add mushrooms, noodles, and bok choy: Stir in the sliced crimini mushrooms, uncooked rice noodles, and roughly chopped bok choy. Simmer for 5-8 minutes until the noodles are tender and the bok choy is wilted but still vibrant.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sesame seeds, the reserved green parts of the green onions, and red pepper flakes if you desire extra heat.
Notes
- If you dislike star anise or don’t have it available, cinnamon sticks make a great substitute to add warm, aromatic depth to the broth.
- For extra protein, add pre-cooked chicken or shrimp about 5 minutes before serving to heat through without overcooking.
- To reduce sodium content, use low sodium soy sauce and unsalted or low sodium broth varieties.
- Optionally garnish with fresh cilantro for an extra layer of freshness.
- Use vegetable broth and tamari for a vegan and gluten-free variation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
