Refreshing Clear Bok Choy Soup Recipe for Every Season

Warm, comforting, and incredibly simple, this clear bok choy soup delivers a delightful burst of Asian-inspired flavors.

Vibrant green bok choy leaves dance through a delicate, translucent broth that promises pure nourishment.

Each spoonful brings a light yet satisfying experience that warms you from the inside out.

The soup clean, fresh ingredients blend seamlessly to create a harmony of taste and texture.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor in this elegant dish that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.

Fragrant herbs and crisp vegetables make this soup a perfect light meal or starter that will surely impress.

You’ll love how quickly this nutritious soup comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 60 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Bok Choy: Crisp, leafy green packed with nutrients, choose bright green leaves without yellowing or wilting edges.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor with delicate aroma, select firm stalks with vibrant green tops.

• Ginger: Warm, spicy root that provides depth and zinginess, look for smooth, firm pieces without wrinkles.
• Garlic: Intense, pungent ingredient that builds rich base flavor, choose firm bulbs without soft spots.
• Soy Sauce: Salty, umami liquid that rounds out savory profile, select traditional brewed versions for authentic taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and balance, opt for clear, mild varieties.
• Lime Juice: Adds fresh citrusy brightness, use freshly squeezed for maximum flavor impact.

• Star Anise: Delivers complex, licorice-like warmth, choose whole pods with intact, glossy appearance.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes subtle herbal undertones, select whole, unbroken leaves.
• Cinnamon Stick: Offers gentle sweet-woody note, pick smooth, fragrant sticks.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and visual appeal, use sparingly.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual interest, toast lightly before sprinkling.
• Sesame Oil: Optional finishing touch with rich, toasted flavor, use sparingly.

Cooking Tools for Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Chef's Knife: Sharp, essential for precise vegetable slicing and mincing.
• Large Pan or Wok: Perfect for sautéing aromatics and cooking the soup.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add soy sauce, vinegar, and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and preventing ingredient sticking.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving hot soup into bowls.
• Soup Bowls: For presenting and serving the clear bok choy soup.

Making Clear Bok Choy Soup at Home

• Garden Fresh Ingredients

Gather crisp bok choy, aromatic green onions, zesty ginger, and fragrant garlic for a vibrant soup base that promises delightful flavors.

• Aromatic Foundation

Warm a pan and gently sauté green onion bulbs until they release their sweet essence. Add minced ginger and garlic, creating a rich and inviting base that fills the kitchen with an incredible aroma.

• Vegetable Transformation

Introduce sliced bok choy to the pan, allowing the leaves to soften and embrace the existing flavors, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Spice and Liquid Symphony

Infuse the soup with star anise, bay leaf, and a cinnamon stick. Pour in broth and add soy sauce and rice vinegar, building layers of complex flavor that dance on the palate.

• Gentle Simmering

Let the soup gently bubble, allowing spices to whisper their secrets into the liquid for 8-10 minutes, developing a deep and satisfying character.

• Final Flourish

Remove from heat and brighten the soup with a splash of lime juice. Serve hot, garnished with fresh green onion stalks and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a final touch of elegance.

Handy Hints for Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Enhance the soup by adding sliced tofu, shredded chicken, or small shrimp for extra protein and texture.
• Adjust heat levels by increasing red pepper flakes or adding a dash of chili oil for those who love bold flavors.
• Swap water with vegetable, chicken, or mushroom stock to deepen the soup's overall taste profile and complexity.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like sliced mushrooms, bamboo shoots, or baby spinach to increase nutritional value and create more depth.

Serving Up Clear Bok Choy Soup

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Pair this clear bok choy soup with steamed jasmine rice for a warming, complete meal that fills your stomach and soothes your soul.
• Asian-Inspired Side Plate: Serve alongside light spring rolls, crispy vegetable dumplings, or a small portion of stir-fried tofu to create a balanced, flavorful dining experience.
• Wellness Wellness Boost: Top the soup with additional fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil, and add a soft-boiled egg for extra protein and a luxurious touch that elevates the nutritional profile.
• Spice Lover's Companion: Customize heat levels by offering sriracha sauce, chili oil, or extra red pepper flakes on the side, allowing each person to adjust the soup's spiciness to their preference.

Keeping Clear Bok Choy Soup Tasty Later

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will deepen and become more robust, making each subsequent serving even more delicious.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain the soup's delicate texture.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop extra bok choy and green onions during initial preparation. Store in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator, ready for quick meal additions or future soup batches.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining soup into a quick noodle dish by adding cooked rice noodles or use as a flavorful base for steamed vegetables. The aromatic spices will continue to enhance any new creation you develop.

Silky Clear Bok Choy Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Comforting clear bok choy soup delivers pure Chinese home cooking essence with minimal ingredients. Delicate broth and crisp vegetables create a nourishing experience you will savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 leaves bok choy
• 2 green onions (spring onion), bulbs and stalks separated
• 1 tbsp ginger and garlic combined (minced or paste)
• 1 star anise
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 cups water mixed with concentrated stock
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• Juice of 1 lime
• Sesame seeds
• Sesame oil
• Red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously cleanse bok choy leaves, removing soil particles. Slice leaves uniformly and separate green onion white bulbs from green stalks.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté white onion bulbs until translucent, then introduce minced ginger and garlic. Stir continuously to prevent scorching and release fragrant notes.
3. Vegetable Integration: Add bok choy to the aromatic base, gently wilting leaves while preserving their vibrant green hue and crisp texture. Incorporate whole spices – star anise, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick.
4. Liquid Infusion: Pour stock over ingredients, ensuring even distribution. Add soy sauce and rice vinegar to develop complex flavor profiles. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
5. Finishing Touches: Remove from heat and brighten with fresh lime juice. Discard whole spices to prevent overpowering the delicate flavor balance. Transfer to serving bowls.
6. Garnish and Serve: Embellish with reserved green onion stalks, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and optionally drizzle sesame oil to elevate aromatic complexity and provide a final flavor dimension.

Notes

• Leaf Preparation Technique: Thoroughly wash bok choy under cold running water, carefully separating each leaf to remove hidden soil and grit that can compromise soup’s clean flavor.
• Aromatic Foundation: Softening white onion bulbs, ginger, and garlic creates a flavor-packed base that builds depth and complexity in the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Spice Management: Whole spices like star anise, bay leaf, and cinnamon add nuanced layers of flavor but must be removed before serving to prevent overpowering the delicate soup’s balance.
• Finishing Touches: Final additions of fresh lime juice, green onion garnish, and optional sesame seeds elevate the soup’s brightness and provide contrasting textures and visual appeal.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 60
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg