ABC soup is one of the most common Chinese soup dish that you can find in Chinese restaurants menus. It’s nutritious, savoury and filling all at the same time! This soup is widely available all around hawker stores and restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore. You might even find it in other Chinese shops in other countries in Southeast Asia!
What is ABC Soup?
As the name of the soup suggests, making this soup is as easy to make as ABC! However, there is also information suggesting that ABC soup derived its name from how the soup is packed with Vitamin A, B & C from its three main ingredients – Vitamin A from carrots, Vitamin B from potatoes and Vitamin C from tomatoes.
However, the reasons for these names are merely speculated. There isn’t any written history of the soup’s name! In any case, it is safe to say that ABC soup is one of the comfort foods akin to chicken soup for most Chinese families.
History of ABC Soup
Did you know that there was an old folk’s tale surrounding this delicious soup? While the exact story may vary from place to place, the stone soup story still has the same central theme and storyline that everyone remembers.
According to the tale, a travelling carrying reached a village, carrying with him only a single cooking pot and nothing else. He asked the villagers for some food or ingredients, but they were reluctant to give him anything.
He then claimed that he had a magic stone with him – anything cooked in the pot with the stone in it would be unbelievably delicious! The traveller sat down and started cooking a pot of water with the stone in it. Curious bystanders came to him, asking if the soup was going to be done yet.
He said that the soup would taste better with some carrots, and a villager brought him some. One by one, the villagers brought a few their own ingredients – tomatoes, onions, potatoes and corn. The product of this mixture of ingredients was none other than the ABC soup itself!
In the ending of the tale, it was said that the villagers enjoyed the soup with this traveller, and learnt how everyone could create something great if they just work together.
Yes, this inspiring tale was how the soup came about!
Today, ABC soup is a famous soup in Southeast Asia, but more so in Malaysia and Singapore than in other countries. It is also one of the easiest soup to make from home for a nourishing meal!
Types of ABC Soup
There are not many variants of ABC soup. However, some may choose to add ingredients that go beyond the primary few.
In some instances, some may add pork bone, chicken breast, ginger or other ingredients. Nothing can really go wrong with mixing different ingredients into this delicious vegetable soup, so go wild with your ingredient selection!
You may also know this soup as potato, tomato and carrot soup, ABC vegetable soup and the like. In any case, it won’t be challenging to figure out that these names are all referring to the same soup.
Where to Find ABC Soup in Malaysia
You can find ABC soup in plenty of Chinese soup stalls in Malaysia. Usually, these soups are served with a bowl of plain rice as well.
If you want to enjoy the best of ABC soups in Malaysia, you should try out speciality herbal soup stores such as Ah Yip Herbal Soup (Selangor) or The Steam Room (Petaling Jaya) using foodpanda!