Pak Choi & Mushroom Noodle Soup
A light, soul-warming noodle soup loaded with tender pak choi and earthy mushrooms in a fragrant ginger-garlic broth. This one-pot meal comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes like something from your favorite Asian restaurant, minus the heavy oils and salt.
For 4 servings
- prep
Prep the vegetables and aromatics.
1.Halve the pak choi lengthwise and rinse well.2.Slice the mushrooms.3.Mince the garlic and julienne the ginger.4.Finely slice the spring onions for garnish. - boil · ~5 min
Cook the noodles.
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
- saute · ~5 min
Sauté the aromatics and mushrooms.
1.Heat the oil in a deep pot over medium heat.2.Add the minced garlic and julienned ginger. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.3.Add the sliced mushrooms and stir-fry until they soften and release their moisture, about 3-4 minutes.TIPDon't let the garlic brown — it turns bitter and will ruin the clean flavour of the broth. - simmer · ~7 min
Build the broth and cook the pak choi.
1.Pour in the water and bring to a gentle simmer.2.Add the soy sauce and salt. Stir well.3.Gently add the pak choi halves and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the stems are tender but the leaves are still bright green. - assemble
Assemble the soup bowls.
1.Divide the cooked noodles evenly among serving bowls.2.Ladle the hot broth, mushrooms, and pak choi over the noodles.3.Drizzle with sesame oil and a pinch of white pepper.4.Top generously with sliced spring onions. - serve
Serve immediately while steaming hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Don't let the garlic brown during sautéing or it will turn bitter.
- 2Cook noodles al dente and rinse under cold water to prevent them from turning mushy in the hot broth.
- 3To keep pak choi beautifully green, simmer only until the stems are just tender — about 2-3 minutes.
- 4For a deeper mushroom flavor, soak dried shiitake in warm water for 15 minutes, then use the soaking liquid as part of your broth.
- 5Adjust salt carefully: soy sauce is already salty, so taste before adding extra.
- 6If you want a richer broth, simmer a few slices of fresh ginger and a smashed garlic clove in the water for 5 minutes before adding the soy sauce.
Adapt it for your goals.
High-Protein
Add 200g of sliced chicken breast, tofu puffs, or shrimp after sautéing the mushrooms — cook until just done, then proceed with the broth. Ideal for those wanting a more substantial meal.
VeganVegan
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and swap the wheat noodles for rice vermicelli. The recipe is naturally vegan as-is, but this variation ensures it's soy-free if needed.
SpicySpicy
Add 1 tablespoon of chili crisp or sambal oelek to the broth along with the soy sauce. Heat-lovers get a welcome kick without overwhelming the ginger-garlic backbone.
Gluten FreeGluten-Free
Substitute dried rice noodles or glass noodles for wheat noodles, and use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) instead of regular soy sauce. Perfect for gluten-sensitive diners.
Low OilLow-Oil
Use a non-stick pan and reduce the oil to 1/2 teaspoon, skipping the drizzle of sesame oil and instead stirring a few drops into each serving bowl. Lighter but still flavorful.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Antioxidants
Pak choi provides glucosinolates and vitamin C, while mushrooms offer selenium and ergothioneine — compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Low-Calorie Comfort
With just a small amount of oil and a light broth, this soup is naturally low in fat and calories, yet filling enough to serve as a satisfying main dish.
Supports Digestion
Ginger and garlic are both well-known digestive aids, and the hydrating broth helps keep things moving gently.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — baby spinach, chard, or Chinese broccoli (gai lan) work well. Adjust cooking time: spinach wilts in 30 seconds, while gai lan needs 2 minutes more.
