This Manchow Soup Is Bursting With Flavor

Manchow Soup is an Asian classic with loads of finely chopped vegetables in a clear, umami-rich broth. Served as a starter in Chinese restaurants, this simple yet beautiful 2-Point soup is slightly thickened for a creamy and chunky texture that’s so satisfying. 

Manchow Soup is a great choice for Weight Watchers. Like all of our Weight Watchers side dishes, making this soup at home is simple and easily customizable—whether you prefer to keep it vegan or add in point-friendly proteins.

Why should you try Manchow Soup?

If you’re planning to serve an Asian-inspired meal at home, Manchow Soup is a must-try. It brings that familiar Chinese restaurant flavor to your homemade dinner. I’m not talking about a heavy or overly filling dish, though. 

For me—and my husband and son—it works as a delicious starter that’s packed with vegetables. It’s almost like having a salad but in soup form. It’s warming and light, and opens up your appetite for the main course.

That said, if you add more noodles or extra cabbage for those daily points, you could easily turn this into a complete meal. A big bowl of vegetable-filled soup can make for a satisfying and healthy dinner.

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Portion Size: About 2 cups (450 ml) per serving

2 WW Points Per Serving. You can view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion (150 g)
• 1 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped (140 g)
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (scallions) (50 g)
• 2 tbsp minced garlic (20 g)
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped (60 g)
• 2 tbsp grated ginger (30 g)
• 4 cups chicken broth (1 liter)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (45 ml)
• 1 ½ cups finely chopped red cabbage (150 g)
• ½ cup green beans, finely chopped (60 g)
• ½ cup cooked rice noodles, small portion (50 g)

Instructions:

1. Prep the vegetables: Start by finely chopping the onion, green bell pepper, scallions, celery, red cabbage, and green beans. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Have all your ingredients ready to go.
2. Heat the oil: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat.
3. Cook the aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Next, stir in the garlic, ginger, and celery. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add vegetables: Stir in the chopped bell pepper, green beans, and red cabbage. Let the vegetables sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. You want them to soften but still retain some crunch.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the broth: Pour in 4 cups (1 liter) of chicken broth. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
7. Simmer the soup: Allow the soup to come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together without overcooking the vegetables.
8. Prepare the noodles: While the soup is simmering, cook a small portion of rice noodles (about 1/2 cup or 50 g). Drain the noodles and set them aside.
9. Final touches: After the soup has simmered, stir in the cooked rice noodles. Give everything a good mix and taste the soup to adjust any seasonings if necessary.
10. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about Manchow Soup is how easily it can be customized. Here are a few ideas:

1. Enhance the Broth: To take your soup to the next level, try adding ginger, a splash of oyster sauce, or mirin. These additions can deepen the flavor of the broth.
2. More Vegetables, More Flavor: While the classic version includes carrots, cabbage, and bell peppers, you can always add more variety. Snow peas, mushrooms, or bok choy all work wonderfully. If you want to stay on the Weight Watchers track, you can even turn this into a cabbage-heavy soup for an ultra-light, low-point meal.
3. Adding a poached egg can give the soup more substance. This little twist reminds me of pho, and it’s a simple way to make the soup more filling without adding too many extra points.

Tips and Tricks for Making Manchow Soup

1. Stir-fry well: The key to unlocking the full flavor of Manchow Soup is properly stir-frying the vegetables before adding the broth.
2. The finer the chop, the better the soup. If you want to get an even more uniform texture, consider grating your veggies. This will make every spoonful perfectly balanced.
3. To achieve that slightly thicker consistency typical of Manchow Soup, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and slowly add it to the broth.
4. Just a teaspoon or two of sesame oil during cooking can make a huge difference. It enhances the overall flavor and gives the soup a more authentic Asian taste.
5. Manchow Soup is meant to be served piping hot. Not only does it taste better this way, but the heat also helps the flavors meld together.