Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup: Choices & Variations

(Updated Version)

Did you know that soup can nourish not just the body, but the breath, mind, and soul as well? Imagine the soothing warmth of a bowl of soup, bringing a sense of calm with every sip. This is the essence of Zen cuisine (JAPANESE VEGETARIAN CUISINE) - a mindful way of eating where simplicity and harmony are at the heart of every meal. There’s something almost magical about it, especially when it’s a Chinese soup infused with herbs, veggies, and ladled over tender noodles. The flavors blend together in a way that’s simply sensational.

 

As more people embrace vegetarianism, soups have taken on a new life. While I’m not strictly vegetarian, I enjoy both meat  (CHINESE HERBAL PORK SOUP) and meatless meals. For a vegetarian soup, the quality of the vegetable stock is everything. It’s what makes the difference between a truly nourishing bowl and one that’s just okay. While you can find artificial vegetarian stock in stores these days, often in granule form, nothing beats the depth of flavor from a homemade vegetable stock.

For non-vegetarian soups, the stock is more straightforward. Whether it’s pork, chicken, or anchovies, these ingredients naturally infuse the broth with rich flavors. But here’s something interesting - have you noticed that some Western chefs still add stock to their non-vegetarian soups? It’s a curious choice, but it seems to be part of their tradition.

 

Now, let’s focus on a comforting Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup, rich with herbs and simple yet satisfying ingredients. This recipe is straightforward, nourishing, and aligns beautifully with the principles of Zen cuisine - bringing balance and serenity to your meal. Beyond the Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup, I’ve included two more vegetarian soup recipes for you. You can enjoy these soups as they are or with noodles of your choice. These are truly Zen Soups, offering the zen we need in this era.

 

Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup

Ingredients

Vegetable stock – as needed (recipe at CANTONESE YEE MEE)

6 cloves garlic – crushed

1 ½ tbsp kei chi (wolfberries) – soaked in water to soften

1 can straw mushrooms (drained)

Salad leaves – as needed

2 rolls Yee Mee

2 tbsp oil

Crushed black pepper and salt to taste

Spring onion for garnish

Method

Sauté the crushed garlic in oil until fragrant.

Pour in the vegetable stock and let it simmer gently.

Add the softened kei chi and straw mushrooms, allowing them to heat through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place the noodles in a serving bowl, dip the salad leaves in the soup, and layer them over the noodles.

Pour the soup over the noodles and garnish with spring onion.

Oyster Mushroom Chinese Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

Vegetable stock – as needed

10 cloves garlic – peeled and smashed

1 pack oyster mushrooms

1 block brown soft tofu – sliced

2 tomatoes – sliced

Spring onion for garnish

2 tbsp oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the garlic until golden.

Add the tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.

Pour in the vegetable stock, then season with salt and pepper.

Once the soup is simmering, add the tofu and oyster mushrooms. Stir gently and turn off the heat.

To serve, place noodles (blanch if necessary) on a plate, sprinkle with spring onion, and ladle the soup with mushrooms and tofu on top.

Chinese Style Potato Celery Soup

Choose any of the soup recipes above as your base, and simply add potatoes and celery. Enjoy it as a standalone soup or add noodles of your choice.

Broccoli Mushroom Chinese Vegetarian Soup

For this version, simply select either of the soup recipes above as your base. Then, add broccoli and button mushrooms to create this nourishing vegetarian soup. As with the previous option, you can enjoy the soup on its own or with noodles of your choice.

 

Pair these soups with a spicy dip, and you have a meal that’s not only delicious but also deeply nourishing for your soul - a true reflection of Zen cuisine, where food is more than just sustenance; it’s a path to inner peace.