Thukpa Gyathuk

Enjoy a comforting bowl of Thukpa Gyathuk(vegetarian version) a very popular comforting noodle based Tibetan soup

Wholesome vegetarian best Thukpa Noodle Soup for cold chilly evenings!! A simple and easy to make soup with loads of vegetables.

About the recipe

Thukpa is popular soup from Tibet with vegetables, noodles and meat. It is also commonly served in North Eastern States of India (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam) or in Upper Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh(Dharamshala/ Mcleodganj) and Ladakh which have the Tibetan influence. It is a warm and filling dish and is perfect for keeping oneself warm and hydrated during harsh and dry winters in these regions.

With time Thukpa has also become a popular soup all over the world. This nourishing soup is just ideal for chilly winters and rainy season ( like Monsoon in India).

What is Thukpa Gyathuk

Gyathuk is one of the many versions of the famous Thukpa which is a noodle based soup with pork and chicken added to it.

Thukpa is Noodles in Tibetan.

Any Noodle Soup is referred as Thukpa.

IT has many variations like Thukpa Bathuk with hand rolled noodles, Thentuk with hand pulled noodles. Gyathuk means Chinese Noodles in Tibetan language, so Thukpa Gyathuk has Chinese Noodles or Spaghetti added to it. I have added Spaghetti (noodles) to it.

More on Thukpa

Thukpa is not only popular in Himalayan regions of India but also has gained popularity in many metro cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore as a popular street food or served in dine-ins. You can see any people relishing a warm bowl of Thukpa at street food vendors or joints on chilly winter evenings.

I first tasted Thukpa many years back in Delhi, at Dilli Haat. It is a cultural place which has stalls from different cultures where they display their food and handicrafts items. Whenever in Delhi do visit this place. The stalls from North Eastern states served some amazing Momos and noodle soups. After few years, I had it in Dharamshala (Mac Leodganj in Himachal Pradesh) which also has lot of Tibetan influence. And every time this soup tasted so comforting and just yum!!

Why we love Thukpa

• It is a filling soup with lots of vegetables, noodles.
• It is quite simple and easy to make.
• You can make it GLuten-free(use GLuten-free Noodles).
• It is Vegan friendly (do not add meat and use plant based protein)
• It is healthy and comforting especially for winters.

This soup is so popular each one has it's own version and is cooked with Indian spices. It is a very light soup with not loaded with soy sauce or cornflour unlike the other Asian style/Indo Chinese soups like Hot and Sour Soup, Manchow Soup.

Ingredients for Vegetarian Thukpa Soup

Vegetables- Vegetarian version can be made with the seasonal vegetables like onions, cabbage, carrots, peas, spinach and mushrooms. Some tomato is also added. You add canned tomato puree also in place of fresh tomato. Ginger, garlic and red chilli add on to the heat and flavour in this light soup.

Noodles- You can add any kind of noodles store bought or hand rolled or homemade. Also any kind of noodles like Egg Noodles, Soba Noodles, Spaghetti or Angel Hair Spaghetti or Rice noodles can be used. Those with Gluten Allergies can use Gluten-free Noodles

Spices- Indian spices are also added to Thukpa for flavour. You can use garam masala or curry powder, black pepper, red chilli powder and many people add turmeric also but, I skip it.

Sauces- Very little soy sauce is added for that brown red color of thukpa. Many people add vinegar but I like to add lemon juice in the recipe.

Protein- You can any protein to it like Tofu and Paneer. Non vegetarians can add meat of their choice. Vegan can add plant based protein.

Other- Add some spicy Red Chilli Chutney or Chilli Oil to add more flavour to the soup.

For Gluten-free Thukpa recipe use gluten-free noodles and gluten-free soy sauce/tamari sauce.

Skip mushroom in the recipe if you are allergic to it.

How to make Vegetarian Thukpa

Cook Noodles

Cook Noodles as per the instructions on the noodle pack which you are using. Check Recipe Card and Video for details.

Prepare Vegetables

Finely chop onion and tomato. Make a coarse paste of ginger, garlic and red chilli.

You can cut vegetables in cubes (bell peppers). I like to cut cut veggies in strips. Quarter the mushrooms and finely cut cabbage and carrot. I have cut veggies in thin strips.

Make Soup

First we make masala with onion, tomato, ginger garlic and chillies. You can make a big batch of this masala(increase the quantity of ingredients) and store. Use some of this masala to make fresh soup.

• Heat oil in a pan and add coarse paste of ginger garlic and chilli. Saute till raw smell of garlic goes away. Do not overcook the paste.
• Now add finely chopped onions and saute till it starts turning light pink. Add chopped tomatoes and cook till it is soft and mushy.
• Cool the masala and puree it. Alternatively you can skip grinding the masala and continue making the soup. But, I like to grind the onion tomato masala.
• Now transfer the masala back to pan, add some water and cook for few seconds. Mix garam masala.

• Now, add vegetables and cook for few seconds. First add mushrooms, saute for few seconds, then add carrots and bell peppers and finally add cabbage.
• Add Veg. stock or water and let it come to boil.
• Add soy sauce, white pepper powder, salt as per taste and lemon juice.
• Cook for few minutes until the soup boils. You can garnish with spring onion greens or fresh cilantro.

Assemble and Serve Soup

Divide noodles in serving bowls or soup bowls, add soup, garnish chilli oil/spicy chilli chutney.

More nourishing Soup Recipes from the blog

Chickpeas and Couscous Soup, Vegetarian Nachos Soup, Ragi/Finger Millet Soup, Creamy Mushroom and Sweet Corn Soup and many more HERE

Some recipes with Noodles/Pasta

Garlic and Spring Onion Noodles, Chowmein, Basil Pesto Spaghetti

Recipe card

Do make this Thukpa Gyathuk, when you need some comfort food. Perfect for cold and chilly evenings . It gives instant relief from cold and cough. The ingredients in thupka boasts immunity and good for weight watchers as it is an wholesome and complete light meal without much oil.

My family enjoys this hearty noodle soup when it is cold or raining. Kids love to have this as after school snack during harsh winters when they come back from school and need something warm and comforting. Do try this for your kids , they will love the flavours of soup with noodles.

If you love soups then do checkout the recipes .. Red Bell Pepper and Tomato Soup, Chickpea and Couscous Soup, Apple Rasam(Apple and Tomato Soup) , Tomato Cilantro and Moong Lentil Soup

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Swati