ABC soup is a popular Chinese soup prepared with tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes. It is called ABC soup, likely because the preparation is as simple as ABC. Another common reason is that it is rich in vitamin A (carrots), vitamin B (potatoes), and vitamin C (tomatoes). 

Why is ABC soup so popular?

ABC soup is prepared with either chicken or pork, so it is not a pure vegetable soup. Besides, it has a universal taste that is not spicy, making it a favorite among the kids. It is ubiquitous in Cantonese households with kids as it is comfort food that is nutritious and suitable for children.

The soup is simmered over low heat, slowly releasing the flavor from each ingredient. You don’t need many ingredients, as the tomato, carrot, and potato trio yields a heartwarming and profoundly satisfying soup. You can add sweetcorn, but I will keep it simple in this recipe.

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How to prepare the Chinese ABC soup

Nearly every household in Malaysia has its oven version of ABC soup. Here is how we make it at home regularly.

1. Get ready the vegetables and meat

1. Cut the tomato into wedges or thick slices. You can remove the skin, but it does not matter.
2. Peel the carrots and cut them into wedges or thick slices on the bias.
3. Also, peel the potato and cut it into large chunks, about one-inch cubes. Submerge the potatoes in water as they change color when exposed to air.
4. Cut the onion into thick slices. Otherwise, you can cut it into chunks.

Note:

• The basic ingredients for ABC soup are carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and some meat. However, most people add onion, making it more wholesome.
• You can use chicken drumsticks, chicken breast meat, pork ribs, or pork bones in the recipe. I use chicken because it is healthier, but pork bones will give it a better flavor. You can also remove the skin to get rid of the excess animal fat.

2. Blanch the chicken to get a clear broth

1. Put the bone-in chicken pieces into a large pot of boiling water. 
2. Bring the water to a boil again, then blanch the chicken for a minute.
3. Remove any scum floating on the surface with a fine wire mesh strainer.  This step helps to get a clear broth.
4. Wash the chicken under running water so that the final soup will look clean and free from any debris from the chicken.

Note:

• The flavor of the chicken is not affected by blanching, as it only takes a few minutes.
• Some home cooks omit this step for simplicity. Although the soup will look cloudy, it will not affect the flavor. However, I strongly suggest blanching pork to remove the unwanted porky smell if you use pork instead of chicken.

3. Slow boil the ABC soup

• Place the blanched chicken in a slow cooker. Add about one liter of cold water or just enough to cover the chicken, and wait until it comes to a boil again. Let the chicken slowly cook for half an hour to release its maximum flavor.
• Using a wire mesh strainer, remove any impurities floating on top. Next, add the onions, carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes. 
• Cover and let it slowly cook until the vegetables are soft. It will take another hour for my slow cooker and should  be faster if you do it over the gas stove,
• You may also want to add some black peppercorns (or white peppercorns), but omit it if you make it for young kids.
• Season the soup with salt. 
• Transfer to a serving bowl, and serve.

Note: 

• You can also use a stockpot on the stove instead of the slow cooker. The steps are the same, except you must adjust the heat to sustain a bare simmer temperature. Also, you might need to add more water as it evaporates faster than in a slow cooker.
• One way to cook it quickly is to pressure-cook it in a multi-cooker by setting the pressure cook mode to soup.
• To simplify the steps, I use a slow cooker to boil the soup. Since the slow cooker will automatically set at a bare boiling temperature, I can put all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it boil for four hours without worrying that it will dry up. A slow cooker is highly recommended, as you do not need to pay attention to adjust the heat. You can also use a pressure cooker if you want to save time.
• Always use bone-in chicken or pork to make the soup more wholesome and flavorful.
• Reducing the heat to just enough to keep it at a slow boil is the key to keeping the meat tender and preventing the vegetables from becoming too soft and disintegrating. On the other hand, high heat will toughen the meat in the soup.
• MSG or other flavoring agents like store-bought chicken stock or bouillon can be used to enhance the flavor of the soup, but I do not recommend them as this should be a healthy soup with loads of nutritional value.
• Remove the skin of the chicken chunks to make the soup healthier. (less oil)

How do you serve ABC soup?

The soup is so simple to make, and it has all the nutrition you need, with vegetables, protein, and a whole range of vitamins. It can be a meal, and the Chinese will serve it with steamed rice.

Variations for this ABC soup recipe

The recipe is not set in stone. There are many ways to prepare it, and every family has its own version. Here are some suggestions:

• The vegetarian version. I would suggest starting with a vegetable broth instead of water to make it more flavorful.  Another way is to add some sweet corn and celery and double up the amount of onion.
• Use pork or anchovies. You can use pork or anchovies instead of chicken or a combination. The ABC soup recipe is versatile. For example, you can omit the black peppercorn to make it for young kids.
• Other suggestions. Adding a few dry cuttlefish can significantly enhance the taste. Some families also include red dates and a handful of goji berries, which I would omit to let the flavor of the carrot, tomato, and potato shine. Finally, you can add any extra ingredients from the leftovers.

Some common questions about the Chinese ABC soup

1. Can I refrigerate the soup?

You can keep the ABC soup in an airtight container and refrigerate it for a few days. Then, when you want to serve, and a few tablespoons of water and gently heat it over low heat until it boils.

2. Is it better to double-boil the soup for a better result?

The flavor of this nourishing soup is better with the double-boil method. I would suggest doing this if you want to serve your guests or for any special occasions. Cooking it directly over the stove at barely simmering is relatively closer to double-boil and is more practical daily as it is quick and easy.

3. What type of potato to use?

Both starchy and waxy potatoes are suitable for the soup. I like using the less starchy type to keep the soup clean and clear, but others may have different preferences.

4. Does ABC soup originate from Malaysia?

Most people agree that it originated in Malaysia. I am unsure because my mom is from Hong Kong and has been preparing this soup since I was a kid. I think the Malaysian Chinese most likely created it.

5. Is it similar to the alphabet pasta soup?

This delicious ABC soup is a Malaysian Chinese-style vegetable soup, not one of those children’s soups made with edible alphabet pasta.

Other related traditional Chinese soups

You will likely like to try other nutritious Chinese soups on this food blog. Here are my picks:

• Chinese-style chicken herbal soup is well-known for its health benefits. The soup recipe is what we have appreciated in my family for decades.
• This winter melon soup recipe 冬瓜汤 is the adaptation of my mother’s recipe, which she cooked for our family when I was young. This refreshing and comforting soup will be a hit for you and your family.