The Perfect Clear Bok Choy Soup Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Bok choy soup brings comfort and nourishment to your dining table with its delicate green leaves and vibrant flavors.

Asian cuisine celebrates this versatile vegetable as a nutritional powerhouse that reinvents simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Crisp textures and light broth combine to create a satisfying experience that warms both body and soul.

Gentle cooking techniques preserve the natural essence of each ingredient, allowing subtle flavors to shine through.

Nutritionists praise this soup for its balanced blend of vitamins and minerals that support overall wellness.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals.

Rich in antioxidants and low in calories, this soup offers a wholesome option for health-conscious individuals.

Perfect Pairings Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Brew the Perfect Tea Companion: Pair this clear bok choy soup with a light and delicate green tea like sencha or jasmine tea. The subtle, grassy notes will complement the soup's gentle flavors without overwhelming the delicate vegetable essence.
• Elevate with Crispy Side Dish: Serve alongside thin rice crackers or light tempura vegetables to add a delightful crunch that contrasts the soup's smooth texture. These crispy sides will provide a satisfying textural balance and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Match with Mild Protein Partner: Accompany the soup with steamed white fish or poached chicken to create a harmonious light meal. The subtle proteins will blend seamlessly with the soup's clean and aromatic profile, making each bite refreshing and balanced.
• Create a Zesty Condiment Combo: Prepare a small side of chili oil or quick-pickled radishes to add an optional kick for those wanting extra flavor intensity. These accompaniments allow diners to customize their soup experience with bright, tangy notes.

Twists to Try Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Spicy Asian Fusion Soup: Enhance the clear bok choy soup by adding sambal oelek or sriracha for extra heat. Include sliced Thai chili peppers and a splash of fish sauce to create a more complex flavor profile.
• Protein-Packed Version: Transform the soup by adding silken tofu cubes or shredded chicken for a more substantial meal. Incorporate thin slices of beef or shrimp to boost protein content and add texture.
• Vegetable Medley Soup: Expand the vegetable variety by including sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, or julienned carrots. Introduce roasted corn kernels or bamboo shoots to create a more robust and colorful soup experience.
• Coconut Milk Infusion: Replace water with coconut milk for a creamy, rich base. Add lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves to bring a subtle Thai-inspired essence to the original recipe.

Light, Comforting, and Clear Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Boost Immune-Enhancing Nutrients: Packed with bok choy's rich vitamin C and antioxidants, this soup delivers a powerful wellness punch that supports your body's natural defense mechanisms.
• Create Quick Comfort in Minutes: Designed for busy home cooks, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal in under 20 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinner emergencies.
• Explore Vibrant Flavor Complexity: Balancing aromatic spices like star anise, ginger, and cinnamon with bright notes of lime and rice vinegar, the soup offers a sophisticated taste journey that awakens your palate.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows simple protein additions like tofu or chicken, making it adaptable for different dietary preferences and hunger levels without compromising its delightful essence.

Essential Ingredients Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Bok Choy: Fresh, crisp vegetable with a mild, slightly peppery flavor, essential for the soup's base.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and provides both cooked base and fresh garnish.

• Ginger: Provides warm, spicy undertone and enhances overall soup complexity.
• Garlic: Adds deep, savory base note to the soup's flavor profile.
• Star Anise, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick: Whole spices that infuse subtle, warming aromatic notes into the broth.

• Water: Primary liquid base for the soup.
• Concentrated Stock: Adds depth and richness to the soup's flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Provides salty, umami undertone to balance the soup.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces a subtle tangy brightness.
• Lime Juice: Adds fresh, citrusy finish to the soup.
• Sesame Oil: Optional garnish that brings nutty, rich aroma.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy garnish for heat lovers.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional crunchy, nutty garnish.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing aromatics.

How to Bring It Together Clear Bok Choy Soup

Step 1: Prep Vegetables

Chop bok choy leaves into bite-sized pieces. Slice green onions, separating white and green parts. Mince ginger and garlic finely.

Step 2: Warm Up the Cooking Pan

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Watch for gentle shimmering to indicate perfect temperature.

Step 3: Awaken Aromatic Flavors

Add white onion sections, ginger, and garlic. Stir gently until fragrant and slightly golden.

Step 4: Introduce Bok Choy

Toss chopped bok choy into the pan. Stir quickly to coat with existing aromatics. Cook until leaves start to soften.

Step 5: Create Flavor Base

• Vegetable broth
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Star anise
• Bay leaf
• Cinnamon stick

Pour broth and seasonings into the pan. Stir thoroughly.

Step 6: Simmer Soup

Bring liquid to gentle boil, then reduce heat. Let soup simmer for 10-12 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.

Step 7: Final Touches

Remove from heat. Squeeze fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8: Serve With Style

• Sliced green onion tops
• Red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds
• Optional sesame oil drizzle

Tips for Gentle Flavor Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Rinse Thoroughly: Wash bok choy leaves carefully under cold running water, paying extra attention to the base where dirt often collects to ensure a clean, grit-free soup.
• Control Sautéing Heat: Keep the pan at medium-low when cooking aromatics to prevent burning garlic and ginger, which can create a bitter taste in the soup.
• Respect Cooking Times: Don't overcook bok choy; it should remain slightly crisp and vibrant green to maintain its nutritional value and appealing texture.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste the soup before adding salt, as concentrated stock and soy sauce already provide significant sodium content.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider toasting whole spices briefly before adding liquids to intensify their aromatic qualities and create a more complex flavor profile.

Store It Right Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat: Warm the soup gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water if the soup has thickened during storage.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this soup, as the delicate bok choy leaves will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed, compromising the soup's fresh, vibrant character.

Clear Bok Choy Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty clear bok choy soup brings comfort and warmth from Asian kitchens, delivering a delicate balance of fresh vegetables and light broth. Delicious, clean flavors invite home cooks to savor this simple yet elegant dish that nourishes both body and soul.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 5 bok choy leaves
• 2 green onions (spring onion), bulbs and stalks separated

Spices and Aromatics:

• 1 tablespoon ginger and garlic combined (minced or paste)
• 1 star anise
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 5 cups water mixed with concentrated stock
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Juice of 1 lime

Optional Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Meticulously separate and cleanse bok choy leaves, ensuring no hidden soil remains between delicate stems. Slice leaves into uniform pieces and set aside. Prepare green onions by dividing white bulbs and green stalks.
2. Warm oil in a substantial cooking vessel over moderate temperature. Introduce sliced white onion bulbs, allowing them to soften and release aromatic essence. Gently incorporate minced ginger and garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
3. Introduce sliced bok choy into the fragrant mixture, gently wilting the leaves while maintaining their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
4. Carefully nestle whole spices – star anise, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick – into the vegetable base. Pour concentrated stock mixture over ingredients, ensuring even distribution. Incorporate soy sauce and rice vinegar for depth of flavor.
5. Elevate temperature until liquid reaches a gentle boil, then reduce heat. Allow soup to simmer, periodically stirring to meld flavors and prevent ingredient settlement.
6. Remove from heat and brighten with fresh lime juice, stirring to harmonize all culinary elements.
7. Extract and discard whole spices to prevent overwhelming flavor intensity. Transfer soup into serving vessels. Embellish with reserved green onion stalks, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and optional sesame seeds or a delicate sesame oil drizzle for enhanced aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Thoroughly wash bok choy to remove hidden mud, ensuring a clean and grit-free soup base.
• Sauté green onion bulbs, ginger, and garlic carefully to build a rich, aromatic foundation without burning delicate ingredients.
• Use concentrated stock for deeper flavor, allowing spices like star anise and cinnamon to infuse the broth with complex, warming notes.
• Add lime juice at the end to brighten the soup and balance the savory, umami elements from soy sauce and rice vinegar.
• Remove whole spices before serving to prevent overpowering the delicate bok choy and maintain a clean, light taste profile.
• Customize garnishes like green onion stalks, red pepper flakes, or sesame seeds to add personal texture and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks.
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg