Best Glass Noodle Soup Recipe from Spain

If you want to improve your diet by incorporating a variety of vegetables, proteins, and grains into just one dish, then it’s time to delve into the world of Spanish soup recipes.

Southern Spain is home to some of the best recipes that blend these ingredients in a healthy and flavorful way, and one of them is the glass noodle soup.

This fantastic Andalusian soup with Asian influences will be the star of this article, and to learn how to make it in the comfort of your own home, you just have to keep reading.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish soup recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Caldo gallego soup

• Best fish soup recipe in the world

• Mackerel soup recipe

Background of the Dish

The history of glass noodle soup is a story of cultural exchange and adaptation, with each region adding its own unique twist to this versatile and delicious dish.

The recipe is deeply rooted in Asian culinary traditions, and thanks to increased trade between this region and southern Spain, the recipe gained a new flavor profile and audience.

This dish is more modern than other Spanish soups like the Spanish fish soup or the fish head soup, and this version has regional ingredients from Europe, like onion, olive oil, and more.

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Things You’ll Need for Glass Noodle Soup

To make this glass noodle soup you will need chicken, mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, onion, garlic cloves, broth, and glass noodles.

The only equipment that you will need to prepare this recipe for Spanish glass noodle soup is a large pot.

Ingredients

• 200g dried glass noodles
• 2 chicken breast
• 6 cups (1.5l) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 cup (100gr) mushrooms (shiitake or button)
• 2 green onions
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

How to Make Glass Noodle Soup – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this easy glass noodle soup recipe, soak the noodles in warm water for about 15 minutes or until they become soft. Once softened, drain and set aside.

2. In the meantime, peel and cut the carrot in julienne style. Peel and chop the onion into small pieces and mince the garlic cloves. Cut the mushrooms into thin slices and do the same with the bell pepper. Chop the green onion into small pieces. Set everything aside.

3. After that, pat the chicken breasts dry with kitchen paper. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. Also, if it has skin or excess fat, remove it.

4. Now, grab a large pot and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

5. To continue with this Spanish glass noodle soup recipe, add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent for about 3 minutes. Sear the chicken breast pieces until they get golden outside.

6. Then, pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, add the soy sauce and fish sauce (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. After that, add the julienned carrot, sliced bell pepper, and mushrooms to the broth. Let them cook for about 7 minutes until they are tender.

8. Once the vegetables are tender and the chicken cooked, add the soaked glass noodles to the pot. Stir well to combine and let them cook for 5 more minutes until heated through.

9. Now, do a taste of the clear glass noodle soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can add more soy sauce or fish sauce.

10. To finish this recipe, sprinkle chopped green onions over the soup and give it a final stir. Serve the glass noodle soup hot, with fresh chopped herbs on top, and enjoy.

Substitution of Ingredients

This glass noodle soup is the perfect blend of Andalusian and Asian cuisine, and it calls for ingredients from both regions, but there is room for change if you can’t find some of them.

For example, you can go back to basics and make this chicken glass noodle soup using olive oil as the replacement for the other liquid flavorings (fish sauce, soy sauce, etc.).

To make this a vegan glass noodle soup recipe, you can replace the chicken with more mushrooms or with tofu, use vegetable broth, and skip the fish sauce.

If you don’t like glass noodles in soup, or you simply want to try a different type of noodles, like rice noodles, egg noodles, or the classic thin angel hairs noodles.

Similar to other Spanish chicken soup recipes, chicken breasts are the best alternative, but you could use a different cut of this meat, or use pork, beef, and seafood.

And for a no-meat soup, try our vegetable noodle soup, a simple recipe for a soup that is very delicious.

Tips on Serving Glass Noodle Soup

This glass noodle soup is one of the best main dishes you can find: it has a rich broth, tender chicken, flavorful veggies, and warm noodles, making it super filling and delicious.

To add a crunchy texture, you can top this soup with toasted and chopped nuts, croutons, or your favorite toasted bread.

Similarly to most Spanish noodle soups, you will need to serve it with more cutlery than a regular soup (where just a spoon could be enough), such as a fork or chopsticks.

If you were looking for Spanish soup recipes that could be served as an appetizer, then we recommend exploring others like Spanish shrimp soup or the famous Spanish seafood soup.

How to Store Glass Noodle Soup

First, let the Spanish chicken soup with glass noodles cool down to room temperature before storing it, and transfer it into airtight containers, leaving some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the soup freezes.

Then, store the Spanish soup in the refrigerator where it can last up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 45 days (add a label so you don’t go over that time).

When you’re ready to enjoy the glass noodle soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until it reaches the desired temperature.

Do you want to find more Spanish soups recipes that you can make and store for later?

Then feel free to check out our fish noodle soup or the traditional caldo de pescado.

Recipe Card: Glass Noodle Soup

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