We are big fans of soups and if it serves up a full complete meal – what better?
Thukpa, is a Noodle Soup with it’s roots from Tibet and digging deeper, it’s said to have come there from China. It is now had as a staple in Bhutan, Nepal and very popular in the North-Eastern States of India as well, with little and subtle variations depending on regions and availability of ingredients and variation of taste buds.
Enjoy this simple and easy to make and no-frills Thukpa and stay a little warmer in these cold days.
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Serves – 2 big bowls
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
Oil – 1 tbsp
Garlic – 1 tbsp, minced
Green Chilli – to taste
Onion – 1 small, chopped
Tomato – 1 medium, chopped
Cabbage – 1 cup, chopped
Salt – to taste
Red Chilli Powder – to taste
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Chicken Masala – 1/2 tsp (optional)
Water – 3 cups
Vegetable Cubes – 1 or as needed
Cilantro – 5 sprigs, chopped
For the Noodles:
Tibetan Noodles or any noodles of your choice – 5oz (approx 150gm)
Water – 3 cups
Oil – 1 tsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
For the Omelet:
Eggs – 2
Oil – 1 tsp
Salt – a pinch
Method:
For the Soup:
1. In a pressure cooker, heat Oil on medium heat.
2. Add Garlic and Green Chillies. Cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add in Onions and cook till translucent. Mix frequently.
4. Add in Tomatoes and Cabbage. Mix and cook till the vegetables get soft.
5. Add in the dry spices – Salt, Red Chilli Powder, Garam Masala. Mix and cook for 30 seconds.
6. If you have Chicken Masala, add along with the dry spices.
7. Add Vegetable Cube and Water and allow the cube to dissolve.
8. Close Pressure Cooker and cook 2 whistles.
9. Allow the pressure to release.
10. Once safe, open and add chopped Cilantro. Adjust spices as needed.
For the Noodles:
1. Boil Water and add Salt.
2. Add in the Noodles and cook as per package directions.
3. Once done, drain all the Water and mix in the Oil.
For the Omelet:
1. Crack the egg in a bowl and beat it well.
2. Add a pinch of Salt.
3. Heat Oil on medium heat in a small skillet.
4. Pour the Egg mixture, spread and allow it to cook on the bottom side.
5. Flip and cook on the other side as well.
6. Remove and cut strips and keep aside.
For Assembly:
1. In a deep bowl, add in half the cooked Noodles.
2. Pour in half the Soup.
3. Add in the Omelet strips.
4. Garnish with Cilantro.
5. Enjoy.
Tips:
1. Add in vegetables of your choice example: Carrots, Spinach, Mushrooms.
2. Use Vegetable broth instead of the Vegetable cube and water in the Soup. (How to make Broth at home)
3. Want make a Chicken Version:
– Wash 2-3 pieces of Chicken with bones.
– Boil the Chicken with 3 cups of Water.
– Add a bit of Salt, a Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick, 2 Cloves, Quarter Onion, 2 cloves of Garlic, a small pc. of Ginger.
– Allow it to boil well.
– Once the Chicken is cooked, remove and allow it to cool down and shred or cut to pieces.
– Boil the balance of the Water for another 10-15 min.
– Strain and use the liquid instead of the water and the Vegetable Cube, in the recipe for the Soup mentioned above.
– Add in the shredded Chicken right before serving.
– You can add half the amount of Vegetables mentioned above if make the Non-Vegetarian version.
Wanted to know if I don’t want to use pressure cooker how long show I boil the soup?
I’m tried the soup and it was both delicious and filling. Thanks for a winner recipe
Looking so delicious . Great Recipe of Noodle Soup. thanks for sharing
Can I use Ramen noodles?
Yes Prachi, any noodles on hand are ok.
Hello Anuja,
It is 8 am and I am starving after watching the video for Thukpa. It looks wonderful and I love cilantro! I know that I will be making this soup for soon!!! Thank you as always for such a wonderful presentation on making the recipe. May I ask, what size pressure cooker is that. It is beautiful!! Is that something that can be purchased in the states?
Thank you!!
Hi Martha,
This one is a 5 liter pressure pan. It is a perfect size and is the one I always reach out for. It can be bought online or at a lot of the the larger Indian grocery stores in USA.
Hope that helps.
Thank you so very much for your reply. I will look out for i!!
Wishing you both continued success!!! I love all your recipes and tips!
I hope Food Network or Cooking Channel contact you!
Looks good! Thank you. I liked the papad paratha video too. Never heard about it before. It is easy to make and I will try it (may be I will skip deep frying the paratha but I am sure it tastes better than the regularly cooked ones 🙂
Hi there,
Thank you! Yes, you can skip the whole deep-frying and make it like a regular paratha 🙂
Happy Cooking!
Looks good! Thank you. I liked the papad paratha video you too. Never heard about it before. It is easy to make and I will try it (may be I will skip deep frying the paratha but I am sure it tastes better than the regularly cooked ones 🙂
Looks good Anuja, just what we need in January! I’m sure what the value of using the pressure cooker is though, surely the soup ingredients are cooked through anyway?
Hi Milady,
Couple of reasons:
1. The veges retain their color better.
2. Don’t loose the liquid due to evaporation
Hope that makes sense! Enjoy the soup 🙂
Hi Anuja,
Made this soup for the first time ever and I should confess it was not only easy but delicious too.
Just want to let you know I didn’t have the flavor cubes so replaced it with soya sauce & vinegar, it was equally delicious. Since the garam masala & chicken tandoori masala provided the required flavors so didn’t miss the cubes at all.
Thanks for the lovely recipe, I’m sure people who have
never tried homemade soups before will definitely try & like it. Also get motivated to play around with different veggies like spinach, mushroom and peas.
It is surely a basic, simple & keeper recipe.
Thanks once again & Regards,
Rashmi
Hi Rashmi,
Glad you enjoyed the thukpa! And I love how you substituted with the things you had on-hand…love it and I am sure it gave the Thukpa a great flavor 🙂
Oh so comforting soup!!! I know what what making for dinner tonight. Thanks Anuja . Want to tell you something I wear the same skagen Wrist watch as you.. And my family said I look alike you too.. Hi sister.. U r so cool Anuja!!! Love ur recipies
Hi Dee/Sister,
Glad you liked the soup and if you like the same watch, you obviously have good taste too 😉
Thanks for your support!
Fantastic. Love your recipes and videos. I think the measurements are fine since this is more of a suit to your taste recipe.
Hi Michelle,
Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Not only are the measurements to your taste but you can also add in variations to your taste 🙂
Have fun!
what is the chicken masala you are talking about?
Hi Sunita,
In Indian/South Asian Grocery stores, along with other pre-packaged spices, they also sell “chicken Masala” – brands like Shaan, MDH and others carry them…
You can also use the spice packages from Maggie noodles if you have those lying around…
Hi Anuja,
I have a suggestion. In India onions are smaller then US. Will appreciate if you can use measuring cups ( 1/4, 1/2 and so on) for onions.
Another is vegetable cubes. Where can I find those in US ? and what are they labeled ? any specific brand ?
The recipe looks nice and I like to try different cuisines so I will try this one soon. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Vidya,
Thank you for your feedback! You answer your questions:
The onions was a small onion by US standards – about 1/2 cup, chopped.
Regarding the Vegetable Cube – I have used “Knorr” brand and I know “Maggie” does some as well. I prefer Knorr as it does not have MSG (avoid when possible). You can also make broth at home as use that, we do have the recipe on our website:
https://34.233.61.50/odds-ends/vegetable-broth-or-stock.html
Hope that helps!
Thank you Anuja, I will check that out.
Hi Anuja,
I have a suggestion. In India onions are on the smaller then US. Will appreciate if you can use measuring cups ( 1/4, 1/2 and so on) for onions.
Another is vegetable cubes. Where can I find those in US ? and what are they labeled ? any specific brand ?
The recipe looks nice and I like to try different cuisines so I will try this one soon. Thank you for sharing.
vegetable cube means vegetable bullion cube, they’re usually in the aisle with can of broth/stock. I normally use a brand called “better then bullion” it’s a doesn’t come in cubes it’s paste that you mix with the water, and the only vegan brand I can find.
Thank you for replying back to me. I will look for it.
Hi Eric,
Great to know – thanks!