Thukpa

Thukpa

Thukpa

The soul-warming noodle soup of the Himalayan highlands — hand-pulled or flat wheat noodles simmered in a clear, deeply flavoured broth of bone stock or vegetable stock with shredded meat (chicken, yak, or pork), stir-fried vegetables, garlic, ginger, and dried red chilli, finished with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime. The broth is the defining element; Sikkimese thukpa uses a lighter, cleaner stock than the richer Tibetan versions, balanced with more vegetables and a gentle heat. Made in every home through the long Himalayan winter and served in deep bowls that warm the hands; the noodle to broth ratio is generous, making thukpa a complete, filling meal in a single bowl.

Cuisines

Sikkimese Arunachali Ladakhi

Best for

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

150 grams wheat noodles
200 grams chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch ginger, minced
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 carrot, julienned
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 cup cabbage, shredded
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
— salt to taste
— black pepper to taste
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons oil
2 spring onions, chopped for garnish
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. 2 Add chopped onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until the onions are translucent.
  3. 3 Add the chicken slices and cook until they are lightly browned.
  4. 4 Stir in the chopped tomato, carrot, bell pepper, and cabbage, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
  5. 5 Add soy sauce, red chili powder, cumin powder, salt, and black pepper, and mix well.
  6. 6 Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a boil.
  7. 7 Once boiling, add the noodles and cook until they are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  8. 8 Adjust seasoning if needed and remove from heat.
  9. 9 Serve hot, garnished with chopped spring onions and cilantro.

Tips

For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with tofu or mushrooms.