Calabash Noodle Soup
A light and comforting Chinese soup featuring tender calabash gourd and slurpable noodles in a simple, savory broth. Perfect for a quick and wholesome meal.
By CuocoMitra · Published · Updated 29 July 2026
- Total time
- Prep
- Cook
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 188kcal
- Difficulty
- easy
Calabash Noodle Soup is a easy Chinese recipe that serves 2 and takes 30 minutes (10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cooking). It uses 9 ingredients across 5 steps. Each serving provides about 187.94 calories.
Ingredients
9 ingredients for 2 servings. Open any ingredient for its nutrition detail.
Raw Calabash Gourdpeeled, deseeded, and cut into 2cm cubes400 gGourd, white-flowered (calabash), raw
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 400 g, peeled, deseeded, and cut into 2cm cubes
Per 100 g
Calories14 kcalProtein0.62gCarbs3.39gFat0.02gFiber0.5gCommon portions
cup (1" pieces) 0.5 undetermined 58 g gourd 1 undetermined 771 g Vegetable componentFillerThickenerMildNeutralEarthy
Thin Wheat Noodlesor any preferred type of thin noodle60 gGrainsNoodlesIn this recipe: 60 g, or any preferred type of thin noodle
Per 100 g
Calories354 kcalProtein11.5gCarbs73gFat1.5gFiber3gCommon portions
100 g 100 g cooked 1 cup 160 g dry 1 serving 60 g Starch baseCarbohydrateNeutralWheatChewySoft when cooked
Swanson Vegetable Brothlow sodium is preferred1000 mlSoup, SWANSON, vegetable broth
Soups, Sauces, and Graviessr_legacyIn this recipe: 1000 ml, low sodium is preferred
Per 100 g
Calories6 kcalProtein0.23gCarbs1.02gFat0.07gFiber0gCommon portions
cup 1 undetermined 220 g carton 32 oz 1 undetermined 928 g BaseFlavor enhancerLiquid componentSavoryUmamiVegetal
Soy sauceor more, to taste15 mlSoy sauce
SoySoy productsIn this recipe: 15 ml, or more, to taste
Per 100 g
Calories60 kcalProtein10.5gCarbs5.57gFat0.1gFiber0.8gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 6 g tbsp 1 undetermined 18 g Umami builderSeasoningMarinadeUmamiSaltySavory
Plain Saltor more, to taste2 gPLAIN SALT
Seasoning Mixes, Salts, Marinades & Tenderizerssr_legacyIn this recipe: 2 g, or more, to taste
Per 100 g
Calories0 kcalProtein0gCarbs0gFat0gFiber—Common portions
1 g 1.5 g Flavor enhancerSeasoningSaltyGrittyCrystalline
Gingerpeeled and finely minced10 gZingiber officinale
Herbs & SpicesSpicesIn this recipe: 10 g, peeled and finely minced
Per 100 g
Calories80 kcalProtein1.82gCarbs17.8gFat0.75gFiber2gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 2 g slices (1" dia) 5 undetermined 11 g cup slices (1" dia) 0.25 undetermined 24 g AromaticFlavor enhancerSpiceSpicyPungentCitrusy
Raw Garlicabout 2 cloves, finely minced10 gGarlic, raw
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 10 g, about 2 cloves, finely minced
Per 100 g
Calories149 kcalProtein6.36gCarbs33.1gFat0.5gFiber2.1gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 2.8 g clove 1 undetermined 3 g cloves 3 undetermined 9 g cup 1 undetermined 136 g AromaticFlavor enhancerSpicePungentSpicyEarthy
Raw Scallionsthinly sliced, for garnish20 gOnions, spring or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw
Vegetables and Vegetable Productssr_legacyIn this recipe: 20 g, thinly sliced, for garnish
Per 100 g
Calories32 kcalProtein1.83gCarbs7.34gFat0.19gFiber2.6gCommon portions
small (3" long) 1 undetermined 5 g tbsp chopped 1 undetermined 6 g medium (4-1/8" long) 1 undetermined 15 g large 1 undetermined 25 g AromaticGarnishFlavor enhancerPungentFreshOnion
Sesame Oilfor finishing2.5 mlOil, sesame, salad or cooking
Fats and Oilssr_legacyIn this recipe: 2.5 ml, for finishing
Per 100 g
Calories884 kcalProtein0gCarbs0gFat100gFiber0gCommon portions
tsp 1 undetermined 4.5 g tablespoon 1 undetermined 13.6 g cup 1 undetermined 218 g Fat sourceFlavor enhancerCooking mediumNuttyToastedEarthy
What you’ll need
6 tools across 5 steps.
Method
- 1
Prepare Ingredients
First, prepare all your vegetables.
- Peel the calabash gourd, slice it in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes (about 2cm).
- Finely mince the garlic and ginger.
- Thinly slice the scallions and set them aside for garnish.
Having all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking (mise en place) makes the process much smoother and faster.
- 2
Simmer the Soup Base
In a medium-sized pot, combine 1000 ml of vegetable stock, the cubed calabash gourd, minced garlic, and ginger.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
For a deeper flavor, you can add a dried shiitake mushroom to the stock while it simmers. Just remember to remove it before serving.
Timer: 5 min
pot (optional for boiling) - 3
Cook the Calabash
Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 10-12 minutes.
The calabash is ready when it's tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Try not to overcook the calabash, as it can become mushy. You want it to be tender but still hold its shape.
Simmer calabash: 10 minpot (optional for boiling) - 4
Cook Noodles and Season
Uncover the pot and increase the heat back to medium. Add 60 g of dried wheat noodles directly into the simmering soup. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the noodles are al dente.
Turn off the heat and stir in 15 ml of light soy sauce, 2 g of salt, and 2.5 ml of toasted sesame oil. Taste and add more salt or soy sauce if needed.
If you prefer firmer noodles, cook them in a separate pot of boiling water. Drain them and divide them between the serving bowls before ladling the hot soup over top.
Nutrition
Per serving, across 2 servings.
| Nutrient | Per serving | Whole recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 187.9 kcal | 375.9 kcal |
| Protein | 7.4 g | 14.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36.2 g | 72.3 g |
| Fat | 1.9 g | 3.8 g |
| Fibre | 1.9 g | 3.9 g |
| Sodium | 2424.4 mg | 4848.8 mg |
Computed from the matched ingredient data rather than entered by hand, with 100% of ingredients matched. Treat it as a close estimate, not a clinical figure.
How it tastes
- Salty
- 3 out of 5
- Umami
- 3 out of 5
- Herbal
- 1 out of 5
- Rich
- 1 out of 5
Texture
Mood
Good for
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