Thukpa:Noodle Soup for the Soul


Thukpa is a hearty tibetan noodle soup, which can be made spicy or plain as per individual taste. It is a wonderfully nourishing and warming dish and therefore an ideal one dish meal for the coming monsoons.
The mustard oil in this thukpa gives it a Nepalese twist, try it if you adore mustard like I do, else use any cooking medium that you like. You could leave out the green chilli and the spices and it's still tasty. I'm giving here the maximum spice version that I learned, so feel free to eliminate any one or as many spices as you like :)

Thukpa
1 to 2 servings
Ingredients
1/2tsp butter or ghee (clarified butter)+ ½ tsp oil(I used mustard)

(You could use 1 tsp of any oil, I find that this combo gives it a lovely flavour)
1 tsp each minced ginger and garlic
1/4 medium-sized red onion
A really tiny pinch Garam masala (optional)
1/2 tsp. Red chili paste ( optional)
½ tsp chili powder (optional)

1 red baby potato ( or half a medium potato)
1/2 chopped fresh tomato (medium sized)
1 fresh green chilli, coarsely chopped
2½ cups water
2 to3 oz noodles of your choice( This time I used a local brand of low fat instant noodle called Koka)
1 cup mixed veggies (I used cauliflower, long beans, mushrooms, carrot, cabbage, baby spinach)
1-2 tbsp light soy sauce (or to taste)
Salt, a pinch of sugar (& black pepper/optional)
Fresh cilantro

lime juice

1. Boil or MW potato till it's almost soft(I microwaved it for 1.5 minute with 1 glass water)
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, lightly saute onion, ginger, and garlic about 1 minute (until transparent)
3. Add all remaining spices (including chili paste) and fry about 1 minute or until the aroma is released from the spices.
4. Add tomatoes, chilli and potatoes, and all the veggies except cabbage and spinach

and fry for about a minute
5. Add water and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes
6. Add half cooked noodles and boil about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. Season with sugar, salt, pepper, and soya sauce to taste.
8. Add cabbage & spinach and boil another minute
9. Garnish with cilantro, and add a little lime juice.
10. Slurrp!

Here's another recipe for Thukpa, that looks really delicious, by Bindiya. Do check it out.

27 comments:

  1. OMG - i didn't think a soup could make me drool and go bonkers for it - but here I am doing just that. We are having a cloudy, dull day and I would love to have that bowl in front of me for real.

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  2. Ahhh! Comfort in a bowlful. :-)

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  3. it's a favorite with us...esp in monsoon and winters...your picture looks inviting..

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  4. Slurp it is! Yummy...seems similar to the korean pho,but a lot spicier.

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  5. You got me drooling all over the keyboard here!just love thukpa, had posted my version too some time back.

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  6. Fancy way you've chopped the carrots eh? Pretty!

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  7. I used to have this with momos at the tibetian restaurants in Calcutta. its been so many years, never thought of making it at home.. such a tempting picture Rashmi.

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  8. Somehow had some cravings of eating noodles and this is what I get. Looks pretty good.

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  9. thats looking so yum reshmi!..

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  10. The maximum spice version is the best! looks yummy!

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  11. totally soul enriching, i saw the name rashmi and came running to the blog :)

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  12. Looks nice...I would love to have tht

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  13. Thanks for the introduction to this soup! The look is so appetizing!

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  14. Hmm yummy!! heard about it from friends , but never had. will surely give it a try this weekend :)
    thanks Rashmi for sharing this :)

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  15. Lovely!! and soooo pretty too:)

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  16. Hi My first time here.I have had this soup several times and I love the lightness of this soup it's so very healthy, have never tried it yet ...will get inspired by u.

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  17. This is good stuff:) thanks for posting the recipe here, definitely making it when there's a nip in the air!

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  18. wow.. healthy dish.. nice click..

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  19. long time,.how u dng?happy diwali,..

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  20. Soup looks so nutritious and tasty!

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  21. Great Recipe! I am looking for a recipe for gur for postpartum recovery. Thanks.

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  22. very tempting recipe.. I was looking for soe Nepali recipes when came across your blog.. love it here


    you could link to my event :

    Flavours of Nepal

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  23. Tried the recipe and liked it. Thank you!

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