Nutritional yeast is the ingredient behind irresistible popcorn, creamy vegan pasta sauce that doesn’t make you miss the Parmesan (quite as much), and—in this recipe—a super-flavorful vegetarian soup that comes together in just about 30 minutes. When nutritional yeast is dissolved into water and reduced with onions, garlic, and ginger, it creates a deeply savory broth in very little time. Miso adds complexity (and, of course, saltiness)—use 1 Tbsp. if you want a lighter broth or 2 Tbsp. if you want something more robust.
The other components of this recipe are chickpeas—some are fried for a crunchy topping, while the rest get super tender as they bubble away in the broth itself—and noodles. You can use dried or fresh noodles. If using fresh noodles, like yakisoba, ramen, or pan-fry noodles, use 16 oz. and simply add them to the broth for the final minute or so to warm them through. If using dried noodles, like udon, use one package (between 8–10 oz.) and cook them separately while the soup simmers so they don’t absorb all the luscious broth.
The final component—and what rounds this out into a complete meal—is broccolini. Sweet and vegetal, it makes a particularly nice addition because its legginess imitates the long noodles. If you can’t find it, however, feel free to use another quick-cooking green, like thinly sliced bok choy.
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What you’ll need
Dutch Oven
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Ladle
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Slotted Spoon
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Microplane Grater
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Can Opener
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Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Heat ¼ cup vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high. Pat dry a heaping ½ cup rinsed chickpeas (from two 15.5-oz. cans) and add to pot (stand back to avoid pops and splatters). Cook, stirring often, until chickpeas are golden brown with crisp outer shells, about 3 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chickpeas to a plate, leaving oil behind. Season chickpeas with kosher salt and nutritional yeast; set aside.
Step 2
Return pot to medium-low heat. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add one 2" piece ginger, finely grated, and 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ¼ cup nutritional yeast and 1–2 Tbsp. chickpea miso or yellow miso (see headnote) and cook, stirring to coat, 30 seconds. Add 6 cups water, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and remaining chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until flavors have melded, 15–20 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, if using dried noodles, cook one 8–10 oz. package dried udon or other wheat noodles in a medium pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Step 4
Add 8 oz. broccolini, halved lengthwise if thick, to broth and cook until bright-green and tender, about 2 minutes. Add cooked noodles or 16 oz. fresh wheat noodles and cook until heated through (and cooked, if using fresh noodles), about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp. unseasoned rice vinegar. Taste soup and season with more salt and vinegar if needed.
Step 5
Divide soup among bowls. Top with cilantro leaves with tender stems (if using), chili oil, and reserved chickpeas.
Recipe notes
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