This Asian inspired meatball soup has the most delicious pork meatballs, combined with a delicious broth and lots of bok choy goodness.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I got a huge Lodge Cast Iron Wok for Christmas (Link to this wok on Amazon at the end of this post, if you're interested in checking it out.). And you all know how I love cast iron! While I wanted it mainly for stir-fries, the first thing I actually made in it was a soup. This soup. And if I do say so myself, it was a delicious debut.
This soup is not only quick and easy, but it's just plain delicious. Even my "I'm not sure I think a broth soup really qualifies as dinner" husband was totally won over by this one. I credit the pork meatballs. They are full of flavour and perfectly filling, so despite the brothy soup and all the greens, there's definitely a good bit of heartiness here.
If you're cook once/enjoy twice inclined, you might want to consider making a double batch of these pork meatballs. Use one batch for this soup and freeze the other batch for future meals. You can use them to make a rice bowl, with a great Asian sauce and lots of veggies. Or pick up some steamed bao buns and make a Korean meatball sandwich with them, with a Korean-style sauce and pickled vegetables. Once you try these meatballs, you'll want to use them everywhere!
Cook's Notes for Sesame Ginger Pork Meatball Soup with Bok Choy
Ginger. I love it in cookies. Or my Fall lattes. But that's most likely powdered ginger. When it comes to savoury dishes though, it's real ginger and that stuff can pack a punch. Too much and I just find it overpowers all the other flavours in a dish. So I'm always careful when I add it, rarely using as much as a recipe recommends. I proceed gingerly (pun intended :)
So as you add ginger here, keep in mind that a little goes a long way and adjust the amount you add to your own personal preference where ginger is concerned.
I love the ginger paste in the tubes (available in the produce section of most grocery stores). It's milder, handy and much less likely to overpower a dish. If you have a similar cautiousness where ginger is concerned, you might find the paste easier to work with, as well.
Did you know you can freeze fresh ginger? Simply place a fresh ginger root in a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer. To use, simply grate from frozen. No need to thaw. Ginger will keep in the freezer for about 6 months.
When preparing the bok choy for this soup, trim the stem ends off, then layer the leaves together. Make 2 or 3 vertical slices, the slice thinly horizontally. That way you'll end up with lovely sized pieces of bok choy in your soup, instead of long stringy ones that are difficult to eat.
Sesame Ginger Pork Meatball Soup With Bok Choy
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs can use regular
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3/4-1 lb ground pork
Soup broth:
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 4 small carrots diced
- 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1-2 tsp Asian Chili Garlic Sauce to taste
To finish soup:
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cups thinly sliced bok choy leaves
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F (205C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside.
- Prepare meatballs: Beat egg in a large bowl. Stir in panko, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil. Add ground pork and stir to incorporate seasonings into pork. Shape meatballs using a rounded 1 tsp measuring spoon. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until juices run clear and the meatballs are browned in spots. Remove from oven and set aside. *You can make ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for longer.
- Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sesame oil and carrots and saute for 5-7 minutes, or until carrots are softened. Add ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add broth, water, soy sauce and chili garlic sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat, them reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
- Add meatballs, rice vinegar and 1/2 of the green onions to soup and allow to cook until meatballs are heated through. Turn off heat under soup. Stir in bok choy until just wilted. Serve garnished with remaining green onion.
Nutrition (per serving)
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I have been coveting this beautiful, big cast iron wok for a while and it definitely living up to expectations! It retains heat beautifully and is perfect for both stir fries or things like soups, as I've made here :)
April says
Absolutely delicious! I have made it 3 or 4 times now. The only thing I is add some mushrooms. Thank you!!!
Jennifer says
Glad to hear, April :)
kathy says
Very good recipe. My family really liked it. I would add a touch of fish sauce next time. One addition I made was to cook a small amount of soba noodles, and we added to the soup at the end.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Kathy! And you can never go wrong with noodles :)
Heidi says
This looks delicious! Can the whole soup be portioned and frozen?
Jennifer says
Hi Heidi, It should do just fine frozen.
vegetarian food delivery says
Long-time reader, first-time commenter here. Thanks so much for this post!
So much good information. You’re a star.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much :)
Vera says
Excellent Soup! I made minor changes: used Vegetable Broth instead of Chicken Broth, and increased the amount by 2 cups (I like a lot of broth), omitted the water, added more ginger (because I love it), and used all parts of the Bok Choy, not just the leaves. The flavor combinations work extremely well together and the vinegar seals the deal.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Vera! Thanks :)
Nick says
Thanks for the amazing recipe Jennifer. We made this (actually my new-to-cooking boyfriend made it!) and it was so delicious, we deemed it 'better than a restaurant.' Second night we served it with rice noodles - truly a treat. Much appreciated and highly recommend!
Jennifer says
I am so glad you enjoyed this soup! It's one of my favourites. Thanks so much :)
climina62 says
Great meal this evening and easy to assemble. Followed your recommendation and made double the amount of meat balls to save for a stir fry next week. The meatballs were so flavorful. The soup was fantastic and loved the burst of flavor from the sesame oil. The bok chop was al dente and will definitely make again.
Jennifer says
On of my favourite soups, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks :)
Tracy says
This is the 2nd time we’re having this soup since the recipe was posted last month. I heeded your advice and made a double batch of the meatballs, portioning them out and then freezing uncooked so that this “quick” meal became even quicker. Outstanding recipe. Flavors are right on. Whole Foods had gai lan (a Chinese green - like spinach and broccoli combined) so I diced the stalks and sauteed them with the carrots. Finished with the greens. I’ll make a triple batch next time since it makes dinner so easy on school/sports nights.
Jennifer says
So great to hear, Tracy! I am a huge fan of this soup, too :) Like the sound of the gai lan. I will keep an eye out for it.
Candace says
Wow - made this last night - wonderful! I was out of Panko so I used regular bread crumbs - perfect! I also could only find Baby Bok Choy, so I used all of it. Will make this again for sure!
Cheers!
Jennifer says
Thanks Candace and so glad you enjoyed this wonderful soup :)
Robin says
This was so delicious that I made it 2 nights in a row! I added chopped cilantro to the broth. On night #1 I used a combination of 1/2 chicken - 1/2 beef broth for a heartier flavor. On night #2 I used only chicken broth. Both versions got rave reviews, and my husband asked if we could have this every week.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Robin! It's so adaptable this soup! Thanks :)
Mimi says
I love that wok! And why not make a soup in it! The soup is magnificent. Perfect for a cold day!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mimi! I am loving the wok and it's actually quite practical for soup, as it is so easy to cook the veg in, like the carrots in this soup.
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
What a gorgeous bowl of soup Jennifer. It must have so much flavor with the ginger. We love bok choy and always look for new ways to use it. Love those meatballs too!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia and yes, those meatballs were most awesome!
Chris Scheuer says
This soup not only sounds wonderful, it's beautiful too! I think I'm having a little wok envy too. :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris! I am loving this wok :)
Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef says
I love this kind of soup. It hits the spot on a cold gloomy day.
Jennifer says
Thanks Gerlinde and yes, it's perfect for these cool days :)
Marie says
This looks like it will go very well with ramen noodles too :-) Will have to try it.
Jennifer says
Thanks Marie and yes, noodles would be a great addition :)
Milena | Craft Beering says
Yey for pork meatballs! I love your new cast iron wok, very suitable for the cast iron recipes queen:) The Asian flavors are so inviting, will give this soup a try! Pinned!
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena! It's hard to beat tender and lean pork for meatballs. They are great with so many flavours :)
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Love your Asian soup series, Jennifer, they're so distinctive. I've still got the flu, so this one is going on the menu for today!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much Sue. Sorry about your flu, but yes, this is great flu soup. Very comforting!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I need a bowl (or the entire pot) of this today! Love the hearty flavours going on here, especially the sesame oil in the broth. Love that stuff!!
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn and yes, whenever sesame oil is involved, you can be sure of great flavour!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
My husband would be all over the meatballs too Jennifer! Served with some nice crusty bread and this would be a delicious meal.
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann and yes, I think he would love these tasty little meatballs :)
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Definitely a delicious debut! I'm a big fan of ginger too - but I've never put it in my meatballs....I will now!! Gorgeous offering!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie :)