17 Best Asian Soups You Have To Try!
The best Asian soups combine rich broths, fragrant herbs, bold spices, and comforting noodles into some of the most satisfying dishes in the world.
From spicy Tom Yum and creamy laksa to soothing ramen and deeply aromatic pho, Asian soups offer far more variety than many people expect.
If you are looking for the best Asian soups to try, this guide covers the classics, what makes each one special, and why they deserve a place on your list.
Chinese Soups
#1 Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
A simple yet satisfying classic, this creamy soup is a Chinese restaurant staple - and a childhood favourite of ours. With shredded chicken, sweetcorn, and a velvety consistency (cooks everywhere; give thanks to corn starch and whisked egg), it's the ultimate comfort food.
Its origins trace back to blending heavier, Western cream soups with Chinese culinary flair.
Pro tip: Add a splash of sesame oil for a nutty finish or a dash of white pepper to elevate the flavour of this Chinese chicken soup.
#2 Wonton Soup
So simple, yet so customisable. The broth is elegant and light, only using fresh vegetables, water and a protein, added after the beloved wontons.
Where it's taken from there is anyone's guess! By changing up the vegetables, adding ginger or garlic, the choice between fish or pork - no Wonton Soup is the same.
#3 Egg Drop Soup
Silky strands of egg in a flavourful broth - the simplicity of egg drop soup is its charm. Due to the slow way the egg is poured, you'll see a fun ribbon effect in the soup. Add some tofu or a handful of peas and chow down.
Known for its quick prep and comforting warmth, this soup's origins may even stem from ancient China.
#4 Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and sour soup is one of the most recognisable Chinese soups and a great addition to any best Asian soups list. Made with ingredients such as tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and vinegar, it delivers exactly what the name promises: heat, tang, and deep savoury flavour. If you enjoy soups with a sharper, punchier broth, hot and sour soup is well worth trying.
Southeast Asian Soups
#5 Tom Yum
Spicy, sour, and fragrant, Tom Yum hails from Thailand and is a flavour explosion in a bowl.
Its vibrant broth is infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. Shrimp is the traditional protein, but chicken works too. For an authentic touch, use some Thai chilli paste and serve with jasmine rice.
#6 Tom Kha
Tom Kha is a Thai coconut soup known for its creamy texture and fragrant balance of galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chilli. Often made with chicken, it is gentler and creamier than Tom Yum while still offering plenty of aromatic depth. If you want a Thai soup that feels rich, warming, and slightly less sharp, Tom Kha is a brilliant choice.
#7 Laksa
This Malaysian and Singaporean noodle soup is a personal favourite of ours.
Laksa is one of the richest and most flavour-packed soups in Southeast Asia, especially popular in Malaysia and Singapore. The two best-known styles are curry laksa, which has a creamy coconut-based broth, and asam laksa, which is tangy, tamarind-led, and fish-based. Either way, laksa is a must-try if you enjoy bold, warming soups with plenty of depth.
#8 Pho
Pho is one of Vietnam’s best-known dishes and one of the most iconic noodle soups in Asia. It combines rice noodles with beef or chicken in a clear, deeply aromatic broth that is usually simmered for hours with bones, spices, and aromatics. Served with herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chilli, pho is comforting, fragrant, and layered with flavour.
#9 Canh Chua
Canh Chua is a Vietnamese sweet and sour soup dish. From the Mekong Delta, it's no surprise that its tamarind broth is full of fish. Although difficult to cook at home, due to its traditional reliance on catfish, there are many substitutes people have tried in their homemade canh chua - from salmon to pork.
#10 Soto Ayam
Soto Ayam is an Indonesian chicken noodle soup. Although you'll see it throughout Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
It combines turmeric, lemongrass, and fried shallots for a sunny, fragrant bowl. Add boiled eggs, potato cakes, or even a squeeze of lime for a punchy finish. A perfect, lighter touch to curry soups.
Korean Soups
#11 Kimchi Jjigae
Kimchi lovers, rejoice! Kimchi Jjigae is a spicy, savoury stew packed with cabbage, tofu, and (if you really want to push the boat out) pork belly. Its punchy flavour and probiotic benefits make it a healthful indulgence.
On a cold winter day, there is truly nothing better.
#12 Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)
A New Year's tradition in Korea, tteokguk symbolises a fresh start. Its broth, made from beef or anchovy stock, is light yet flavourful, and the chewy rice cakes are pure joy. Garnish with egg strips, nori, and green onions for extra flair.
#13 Kongnamul Guk (Soybean Sprout Soup)
This humble soup is a staple for cold mornings and hangover remedies alike. The nutty crunch of soybean sprouts in a light broth is as soothing as it is simple.
Try it at home! Simply blanch your bean sprouts, drizzle some sesame oil over the top and add hot water. With some gochugaru, spring onions and fish oil, you can take it to another level.
Japanese Soups
#14 Ramen
Ramen needs no introduction. We have all heard of it and have likely tried at least its instant variety.
Go to a proper ramen shop, however, and you'll be treated with its rich broth (be it tonkotsu, shoyu, or miso), springy noodles, and a variety of toppings. Here, Ramen is both a meal and an experience. Want it spicy? So much pork fat, you can see it swimming? A miso brother you can't say no to? The sky's the limit.
The authentic tonkotsu we had in Fukuoka was beyond our wildest imaginations. Truly one of the best types of Asian noodles.
#15 Miso Soup
A quintessential part of Japanese cuisine, miso soup pairs fermented soybean paste with dashi broth. We love adding extra tofu, mushrooms, and spring onions to enhance its flavour. You can also add wakame seaweed and scallions for an authentic touch.
Fun fact: Miso soup is as much about technique as ingredients. Dissolve the miso gently to avoid a grainy soup.
It's the perfect light meal, side dish or starter!
#16 Japanese Noodle Soup (Soba/Udon)
Soba (thin, buckwheat noodles) and udon (thick, wheat flour noodles) shine in their respective soups. This Asian noodle soup is light yet satisfying; these soups vary seasonally - warm broth in winter, and chilled (or even iced!) versions in summer.
Add anything from tempura, kamaboko (fish cake), or just a splash of soy for a quick, delightful meal.
Taiwanese Soups
#17 Beef Noodle Soup
Taiwanese beef noodle soup has to be one of our favourite dishes. With a rich and often spicy broth, it's a perfect winter delicacy or comfort food.
Although it's quite a complex recipe, with tender braised beef and a broth that people can spend hours on, it's absolutely worth the final product.
FAQs about the best Asian soups
What is the most popular Asian soup?
Some of the most popular Asian soups include ramen, pho, Tom Yum, laksa, and miso soup. Each is popular for a different reason, from rich broths and noodles to lighter everyday comfort.
What Asian soup should beginners try first?
If you are new to Asian soups, start with ramen, pho, miso soup, and chicken and sweetcorn soup. These are approachable, widely loved, and offer a good introduction to different styles of broth and texture.
Are Asian soups always spicy?
No. Some Asian soups are spicy, such as Tom Yum or certain Korean stews, but many are mild, savoury, and comforting. Miso soup, wonton soup, and chicken and sweetcorn soup are much gentler options.
What makes Asian soups so varied?
Asian soups vary widely because they reflect the ingredients, spices, herbs, noodles, and cooking traditions of different countries and regions. That is why the category includes everything from light broths to rich coconut soups and slow-simmered noodle bowls.
Final Word
From rich bowls of ramen and pho to spicy Tom Yum and creamy laksa, the best Asian soups offer an impressive range of flavours, textures, and traditions. Whether you prefer light broths, noodle soups, or bold spicy bowls, there is no shortage of Asian soups worth trying. If you are just getting started, begin with the classics above and work your way through the regional favourites next.
