Thukpa | Vegetable Noodle Soup
Thukpa Vegetable Noodle Soup is a hot soup made using vegetables and Noodles and has a distinct taste from a few Indian spices. It is best served on rainy or cold days.
What do you mean by Thukpa?
Wiki says, Thukpa has been described as a generic Tibetan word for any soup or stew combined with Noodles. Today I am sharing the Indian version of Thukpa aka the Vegetable Noodle Soup from the state of Sikkim.
Origin of Thukpa
Though Thukpa is a Tibetan Noodle soup originating in the eastern part of Tibet, it has its variant among the Tibetan people, Himalayan people from Nepal and the states of Sikkim, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal pradesh in northeast India.
The Indian version of this soup is different because it has its typical spices like chilly powder and garam masala, and hence is considered more hot.
Thukpa | Vegetable Noodle Soup
As said Thukpa is a hot noodle soup. It is generally made using vegetables or chicken. The most common vegetables used in this are mushrooms, cabbage and onion. Many variations exist and one can add vegetables as per their liking.
This goes well in the cold weather of the North eastern states, however soup can be enjoyed in any season. Since Noodles are added to this soup it becomes a complete meal in itself.
Ingredients & Substitutions in Thukpa Vegetable Noodle Soup
The main ingredient here is noodles and vegetables. I have used medium thick variety of noodles available here. One can use this Hakka noodles too.
I have used a mixture of vegetables. Green onions, green Beans, carrots, mushrooms and cabbage. One can even add broccoli, cauliflower, corn.
For spices, ginger, garlic, cumin powder, garama masala powder and red chilly sauce are used. One can replace the red chilly sauce with red chilly powder.
It does not uses any corn flour or starch for thickening. So while adding water go slow, or you would be adding more water.
Gluten-Free Version of Thukpa
For gluten-free version you would need to replace two things. First the soy sauce has to be replaced with Tamari sauce. Secondly you would need to use gluten-free noodles for this recipe. Also do check the ingredients of garam masala powder if it contains any gluten ingredients.
Please note, I have not made a gluten-free version of this recipe.
Vegan Thukpa
If you are using vegan Noodles, this soup would be completely Vegan soup. Many noodles are egg based so do check out the ingredients.
The Secret Ingredients & The challenge
This month we are travelling to the state of Sikkim for our group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge. I have initially opted out of the challenge, but later on decided to give it a go. Mayuri Patel who currently manages the group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge currently and blogs at Mayuri's Jikoni, was kind enough to accept this and she gave me 2 secret ingredients as Red Chilly sauce and Cabbage. I am in love with her blog for her traditional Gujarathi Cuisine and recently loved her Ragi Shavige Uppitu.
At first I wanted to make the famous momos from the 2 secret ingredients given and I was all set to make it. However I was not sure if it will go well with my kids and I wanted to make something which would be enjoyed by everyone at home and at the same time filling. So I decided to go ahead with Thukpa | The Vegetable Noodle Soup.
Few More Regional recipes
So here goes the recipe of Thukpa | Vegetable Noodle Soup
Thukpa | Vegetable Noodle Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 Cup Noodles
- ¼ Cup Scallions Chopped
- ¼ Cup green beans - 4 to 5
- ½ Cup Carrots - Cut lengthwise
- 4-5 Mushrooms - chopped
- ¼ Cup Cabbage Chopped
- Scallions Spring onions for garnishing.
- 2-3 Garlic chopped
- ½ inch Ginger chopped
- 2-3 tablespoon Red Chilli Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 3-4 cup Water (One can use Vegetable Stock)
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam Masala
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Boil the Noodles as per the instructions and keep it aside.1 Cup Noodles
- In a wok, add in the oil.2 tablespoon Oil
- Once hot add the garlic and ginger and saute it for 30 seconds.2-3 Garlic, ½ inch Ginger
- Now add the green onion and saute until translucent.¼ Cup Scallions
- Now add the chopped carrot, cabbage and green beans.¼ Cup green beans, ¼ Cup Cabbage, ½ Cup Carrots
- Saute on high heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the mushrooms and saute for a minute.4-5 Mushrooms
- Now add the cumin powder, Garam Masala Powder, Red Chilly Sauce and Soy Sauce.2-3 tablespoon Red Chilli Sauce, ½ teaspoon Cumin powder, ½ teaspoon Garam Masala, 2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- Add the water and let the mixture come to a boil.3-4 cup Water
- Add in the boiled noodles and salt.Salt
- One can adjust the quantity of spices as per their preference.
- Garnish with spring onions and serve.Scallions
Notes
- If you feel the soup is thick add more water.
- More or less can be added as per one's liking.
- Any variety of noodles can be used here.
- Read above for Gluten-Free Versions
- Read above for Substitutions.
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Thukpa is perfect for the season, love all the flavours here except the mushroom which I will opt out when I make.
A very comforting and mildly spiced warm soup for chill and rainy nights . Hope to try it soon.
Thank You
I love thukpa! With soup and noodles, it's a meal in itself. Yours looks absolutely delicious, perfect for the rainy weather in Bangalore these days. 🙂
Thank You
Renu, thukpa looks so tempting. Isn't the Indian version of the noodle soup so delicious? Next time I make it would love to try with cabbage. Like you I had to browse quite a few recipes before deciding how to make mine. Glad you participated this month too.
Thank You
Love the bowl of Thukpa. Warm and most comforting food. We loved it a lot when I made them. Love the addition of mushrooms
Thank You
Total comfirt food...have had it so many times when we travelled to sikkim in Dec..yumm
Thank You
Thukpa looks very tasty, refreshing and perfect for this rainy season Renu. My brother is big fan of soupy noddles, definitely will prepare this one for him
Thank You. Do try, I am sure he will love it.
Vegetable soup with noodles sounds like comfort food for me. I can have it as a light meal . Your soup looks absolutely delicious with cumin powder and garam masala going in with loads of veggies.
Thank You
Love your version of Thupka..I only add garam masala , cumin powder must have added a nice earthy flavour to soup.. so filling loaded with vegetables and noodles.. delicious comforting meal especially for chilly evenings.
Thank YOu
Most of the time I do prepare this after making any other noodles dish using the leftover noodles particularly. It makes a wholesome meal for anyone. The pics here are making me drool 😉
Thukpa looks super tempting. Loved this comforting healthy and yummy noodle soup. Bookmarking the recipe to try sometime.
Thank You
Ah! Thukpa! I love this soup! This is a firm favourite with my family here and even back home in India, thanks to a Nepalese shack that I used to frequent - brings back so many memories especially of momos!
Thank You
A Delicious bowl of noodle soup.Absolutely filling and complete meal in itself.Perfect for the wet weather here.Will have to make it soon .
Hi there! Just found your article when I was looking for making Thukpa Recipe/Vegetable Noodle Soup by ourselves at home. Thanks for sharing this very well-written and worth reading article.
Wish to see more in the coming days.
Thank You, there are a few traditional and regional recipes on blog. do check it out. Thank You
Hello there...let me start with ..yes it was yummy, actually i poped into a nepali resto @ Bahrain..and tried it..and there u go i saw your receipe..and its so cool & Hot( though its 49 degrees) here..loved it..its been recommended..is it that i can add green or black pepoer as whole instead of chilly powder..
Thank you
Thank You for your feedback. Glad you liked it. You can add green or black pepper. When you use green pepper, slit it in between to release the flavour and taste.