Easy Bok Choy Soup Recipe (Vegetarian, Vegan)

This Bok Choy Soup is like a warm hug in a bowl – easy to prepare with simple ingredients and ready in just 20 minutes! It’s a clear broth Asian soup with bok choy that’s light in texture but full of flavor. The broth, infused with ginger and garlic and sautéed in toasted sesame oil, brings a delicious depth to every spoonful.

In this recipe, I’ll share my special tricks on how to cut bok choy and cook it to perfection in the soup – ensuring it’s tender, crispy, and never mushy. This is why it’s a top favorite vegetable soup among my readers! Plus, if you’re craving a stir-fry, don’t miss our Bok choy stir fry – a delightful sister dish to this soup.

Ingredients

With healthy, simple, and accessible ingredients, there’s a reason why people love a good recipe for bok choy soup. Here are what you need for the dish:

Save This Recipe

Enter your email and get it sent to your inbox (+ new recipes, too)!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Save Recipe

• Shanghai Baby Bok Choy: Chosen for its soup spoon-like shape and gorgeous green stalks, Shanghai baby bok choy adds not only a sweet and tender crunch but also a vibrant color to our vegetarian pak choi soup. This type is commonly found in Western markets, making it a convenient and delightful choice for this recipe.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Saute ginger garlic with a small touch of sesame oil to infuse the soup with a rich, nutty aroma.
• Garlic Cloves: Brings a pungent and spicy flavor that deepens the soup’s taste.
• Ginger Root: Offers a warm, slightly spicy bite, enhancing the overall flavor.
• Coarse Sea Salt: Used for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms: Contribute an earthy taste and a meaty texture.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, adding a mild, fruity undertone.
• Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth: Forms the soup base, providing depth and richness.
• Coconut Aminos: Adds a sweet and savory, soy-like flavor, naturally gluten-free, but less salty. Can also use a smaller amount of light soy sauce.
• Shiitake Mushroom Seasoning (Optional): A great substitute for MSG, this seasoning adds a deep umami flavor to the soup. If unavailable, homemade chicken bouillon powder can be used as an alternative, enhancing the broth with a savory chicken flavor.
• Green Onions (Scallions): Offer a mild, slightly peppery flavor and a pop of color.

If adding poached eggs to the soup:

• Eggs (for poached eggs, optional): Add a creamy, rich element to the soup.
• White or Apple Cider Vinegar (for poaching eggs): Helps the egg whites set faster when poaching.

Tips for storing bok choy: Keep baby bok choy fresh by storing it unwashed in a stasher bag with a paper towel in the fridge’s vegetable drawer. Aim to use it within 2-3 days for the best texture.

How to make bok choy soup

This simple Chinese soup with bok choy is not only healthy and easy but also vegetarian or vegan-friendly. These steps are designed to maximize flavor and ensure every spoonful is as comforting and satisfying as it can be. Let me show you how to cook with bok choy in soup so they are tender, crisp, and flavorful.

1. Prepare the Bok Choy: For small baby bok choy, halve them. If you have regular-sized bok choy, quarter them. And for large bok choy, chop them into bite-sized pieces. After preparing, rinse them well and set them aside to drain.

2. Start the Aromatics: Heat a medium-sized pot over medium-low. Add sesame oil, followed by garlic, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
3. Add Mushrooms: Toss in shiitake mushrooms with olive oil and sauté briefly (30 seconds).
4. Simmer the Broth: Pour in the stock. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Poached Eggs (Optional): While the broth simmers, poach the eggs in boiling water with a dash of vinegar, if using.
6. Season the Broth: Adjust the flavor with coconut aminos and shiitake mushroom seasoning (or salt).

7. Cook the Bok Choy in soup: Increase heat to medium. Add bok choy, stem side down, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Then submerge the entire bundle, including the leaves, in the hot broth for an additional minute.
8. Finish and Serve: Drizzle with a bit more sesame oil and sprinkle spring onions. Serve in bowls with a poached egg on top of each.

How to make ahead, store, freeze, and reheat

Whether you’re preparing it fresh, storing it for later, or reheating it. Here’s how to keep your soup perfect at every stage:

• Make-Ahead: Chop your garlic, ginger, and shiitake mushrooms in advance to save time. You can also prepare and wash the bok choy a day before – just pat it dry to maintain its crispness.
• Storage: Keep the soup in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy it within 2-3 days to savor its freshness.
• Freeze: For the best texture, freeze only the broth, without the bok choy. Cook vegetables in small batches when you’re ready to serve. Simmer the broth and add fresh bok choy for that perfect crunch. Don’t forget to check our tips on storing bok choy!
• Reheat: Microwave the soup on medium for 1 minute, stir, then another minute until warm. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop. The bok choy may lose some crispness, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

What to serve with bokchoy soup

Looking for the perfect companions to serve alongside your Chinese vegetable soup? Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty, light, or vegetarian, we’ve got you covered.

• Stir fries: Elevate your meal with flavorful stir-fries like Chinese Black Pepper Chicken or Black Pepper Beef. For seafood lovers, the Chinese Steamed Cod with Ginger Scallion Sauce is a must-try. Or, spice things up with a Ground Chicken Stir Fry with Green Beans.
• Rice and noodles: Complement your soup with comforting rice dishes like Steak Fried Rice or Din Tai Fung Fried Rice with Shrimp. For noodle enthusiasts, Garlic Chili Noodles and Spicy Peanut Noodles are fantastic choices.
• Vegetarian and vegan pairings: Light and healthy options include Rice Paper Dumplings, perfect for a starter. Try the Shanghai Rice Cake with Napa Cabbage and Bok Choy for a hearty vegetarian main. And don’t miss the Roasted Chinese Eggplant, a flavorful vegan delight.

More soup recipes with bok choy

Looking for more delicious ways to add bok choy to soups? We’ve got a fantastic selection of recipes that showcase this versatile vegetable in various mouth-watering ways. Check these out for more culinary inspiration!

• Asian Chicken Noodle Soup: A quick bok choy chicken noodle soup, perfect for a cozy night in.
• Brisket Pho: Experience the magic of tender brisket paired with crisp bok choy in this classic Vietnamese noodle soup.
• Lion’s Head Meatballs: Savor these large, juicy meatballs, traditionally served with Chinese cabbage and bok choy for a hearty meal.
• Whole30 Tantanmen Ramen: Indulge in this Whole30-compliant ramen featuring chicken thighs and bok choy in a creamy, savory broth. A guilt-free treat!