Thukpa (Himalayan Noodle Soup)
Local name: थुक्पा
In short: A warming noodle soup of chicken, ginger, garlic, cumin and tomato with carrots, cabbage and greens, finished with coriander and chili. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Thukpa is the noodle soup of Nepal's mountain communities and a favorite in Kathmandu cafes, especially on cold evenings. A savory broth is built from ginger, garlic, cumin, turmeric and tomato, then filled with chicken, noodles and whatever vegetables are close to hand. It is hot, thin and comforting rather than heavy. Finish each bowl with coriander, a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of chili sauce or achar.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
- Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric and timur for 30 seconds, then add the tomato and cook for 3 minutes until it breaks down.
- Add the chicken and stir for 3 minutes, then pour in the stock and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Cook the noodles in a separate pot of boiling water according to the packet. Drain and rinse briefly.
- Add the carrot and cabbage to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the greens for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Divide the noodles among 4 bowls and ladle over the hot soup. Top with spring onions, coriander, chili sauce and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Cook the noodles separately so they do not drink up the broth and turn soft. Add a little extra hot stock to each bowl if you like a soupier thukpa.
- For a vegetarian thukpa, use mushrooms and firm tofu in place of the chicken, and vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Questions and answers
Is thukpa spicy?
The broth is mildly spiced, with warmth from ginger, garlic and pepper. Heat comes from the chili sauce or achar added at the table.
Can I make thukpa ahead of time?
Make the broth with the chicken and vegetables up to 3 days ahead. Reheat it and cook the noodles fresh for each serving.
What noodles are used for thukpa?
Plain wheat noodles are the most common. Thin spaghetti works in a pinch, and rice noodles are a good option if you need it gluten-free.
How long does it take to make Thukpa (Himalayan Noodle Soup)?
About 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Thukpa (Himalayan Noodle Soup)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
