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If you’re looking for a nutritious, and yet comforting soup, try this Healthy Manchow Soup Recipe! It is gluten, sugar, and dairy free.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

aerial shot of healthy manchow soup in a mug

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Ingredients You’ll Need
How To Make Manchow Soup
Healthy Manchow Soup Recipe

Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, this manchow soup recipe uses ragi (finger millet) as a thickening agent. By incorporating ragi into this Indo-Chinese soup recipe, you get a perfect blend of health and taste!

Why Choose Ragi?

Ragi, or finger millet, is a superfood known for its numerous health benefits:

Rich in Calcium: Strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
High Fiber Content: Aids digestion and keeps you full longer.
Low Glycemic Index: Helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Gluten-Free: A great option for those with gluten intolerance.

Another highlight of the manchow soup is crispy and crunchy deep fried noodles. But for the healthier version I use Japanese Soba Noodles (made of buckwheat flour) instead of regular noodles and air fry them till crisp with minimal oil.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ragi (finger millet) Flour replaces the corn starch and act as a thickening agent. Use it to make cake or dosa batter.
Ginger, Garlic, Red Chilli, Coriander Stalks, and Green Onion are the holy grail of Indo Chinese cooking.
Vegetables: Carrot, Cabbage, Green Beans, Mushroom, Capsicum
Sesame Oil or neutral vegetable oil are perfect for sauteeing the aromatics.
Vegetable Stock or readymade stock powder. Or quickly make a cheat stock to flavour the soup like I did in the video.
Seasoning: Light Soy or Tamari Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Salt, White Pepper Powder
Noodles: Use either Japanese soba noodles, whole wheat noodles or ragi noodles.

How To Make Manchow Soup

Step 1: Prepare Cheat Stock

In a large pot, boil water.
Add cabbage leaves, carrot, onion, garlic, mushroom and start boiling.
Add soba noodles and boil till al dente or just done.
Transfer the boiled noodles to a colander. Use stock to make the soup.

Step 2: Air Fry Noodles

You can use these air fried crispy noodles to make Chinese Bhel Puri or the Chinese Chicken Salad.

Rinse boiled noodles with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let them sit in a colander for 10 minutes to dry completely.
Coat the noodles with a teaspoon of oil.
Preheat air fryer at 170 degree celcius.
Arrange noodles on a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air Fry for 10 – 15 minutes or till crisp and golden, shaking the basket two to three times during the process.
Transfer the crispy noodles in a bowl to add as a garnish later.

Step 3: Prepare Ragi Slurry

In a small bowl, mix ragi flour with ¼ cup stock to make a smooth slurry. Ensure there are no lumps. Set aside for later use.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

Heat oil in a stockpot or wok over medium heat.

Add minced garlic, ginger, coriander stalks, and red chilies. Sauté for a minute until fragrant. This is the base of the soup.

Step 5: Add Stock and Vegetables

Pour in the vegetable stock prepared and bring it to a boil.
Stir in the vegetables, soy sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Lower the heat and let the manchow soup simmer for 2 – 3 minutes.

Step 6: Add Ragi Slurry and Simmer

While the soup is simmering, slowly add the ragi slurry.
Continuously stir the soup to avoid lump formation.

aerial shot of healthy manchow soup in a saucepan

Let the manchow soup simmer for 5 minutes over low heat or till it thickens and get a luscious consistency.

Turn off the heat and add chopped spring onions and coriander leaves. After serving, top each bowl of soup with air fried crispy noodles.