Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (2025)

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  • Asian Food
  • Southeast Asian Food

By

Dennis Sim

Dennis Sim

Food writer and chef living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who creates recipes inspired by Southeast Asia.

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Updated on 03/6/24

Tested by

Diana Andrews

Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (1)

Tested byDiana Andrews

Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (2)

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 4 hrs 15 mins

Total: 4 hrs 30 mins

Servings: 2to 3 servings

Yield: 5 1/2 cups

79 ratings

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A popular soup in Asian cuisines, this is called ABC soup because it is super easy to prepare—as simple as ABC. The other reason for the name is that it's filled with vitamins A, B, and C. The combination of carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes add to the healthy soup, while the chicken ensures it's full of flavor. Though it does take some time, it's simple, delicious, and excellent comfort food. This particular recipe is a Malaysian-style ABC soup, though it's not much different than those found in Chinese restaurants.

Soups generally taste nicer if you use a double boiler, a two-tiered soup pot with the bottom pot filled with water. The soup in the upper pot is steamed by the boiling water in the bottom pot. This gentler way of cooking soup releases the flavors from the ingredients gradually, and the result is a sweeter-tasting soup. If you do not have a double boiler, just simmer the soup on the lowest heat possible.

What You'll Need to Make This Malaysian ABC Soup Recipe

A Nice Big Stock Pot
A Handy Dandy Vegetable Peeler
A Good Ladle

“This soup took a while to make, but it was worth it. Such simple ingredients on very low heat came together to produce a deeply satisfying soup. I had it for lunch one day when I wasn’t feeling so good, and it was genuinely comforting and satisfying, and it really did make me feel much better.” —Diana Andrews

Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (6)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bone-in chicken pieces

  • 4 cups water, more as needed

  • 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 medium tomato, quartered

  • 1 medium onion, thickly sliced

  • 1 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns

  • 3 medium potatoes

  • Kosher salt, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (7)

  2. Put the chicken pieces in a medium saucepan with just enough water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (8)

  3. Drain the water. Rinse the chicken under water to get rid of any impurities.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (9)

  4. Fill a double boiler or a medium soup pot with 4 cups of water. Add the prepared chicken, cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (10)

  5. Once thewater boils, remove any impurities from the surface with a ladle. Adjust the heat to low.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (11)

  6. Add the carrot, tomato, onion, and peppercorn. Simmer on very low heat for 1 1/2 hours.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (12)

  7. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Add to the soup. Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the carrots and potatoes are tender, and still holding their shape, another 2 1/2 hours.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (13)

  8. Add salt, to taste, and serve.

    Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (14)

What Type of Potato Is Best for Soup?

When making a soup with potatoes, it's best to use varieties with a low to medium starch content. Yellow potatoes are a favorite, so look for varieties such as Yukon Gold at the grocery store.

Does Soup Need to Cool Before Refrigerating?

Whenever you have leftover soup, it's best to let it cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge. Hot soup can raise the temperature inside the refrigerator. This can compromise the taste and safety of the soup as well as your other foods. To cool soup more quickly, divide it into smaller bowls or place a large bowl in an ice water bath. Stirring the soup can also speed up the cooling process. Store the soup in an airtight container and enjoy within a few days, reheating it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

26 Hearty Chicken Soup Recipes

  • Southeast Asian Food
  • Soups
  • Asian Food
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Vegetable Recipes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
484Calories
14g Fat
43g Carbs
45g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2to 3
Amount per serving
Calories484
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g18%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 176mg59%
Sodium 283mg12%
Total Carbohydrate 43g16%
Dietary Fiber 5g19%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 24mg122%
Calcium 77mg6%
Iron 4mg21%
Potassium 1499mg32%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Tomato
  • appetizer
  • asian
  • family dinner

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Simple Malaysian ABC Soup With Potato, Carrot, and Tomato (2025)

FAQs

What is the most popular soup in Malaysia? ›

Two of the most famous versions are the sour, tamarind-based asam laksa and the creamy curry laksa. Especially favored in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, laksa is usually prepared and enjoyed at hawker centers as a hearty main course.

Why is ABC soup called ABC? ›

Do you know why it's called ABC soup? Apparently, it is called ABC soup because the basic ingredients for ABC soup are carrots (rich in vitamin A), potatoes (packed with vitamin B), and tomatoes (loaded with vitamin C), boiled to rich goodness together with some fresh soup bones!

What are the benefits of drinking carrot and tomato soup? ›

Include carrot and tomato soup in your diet as it helps to manage weight by suppressing appetite and boosting metabolism. You must have heard that eating this, drinking that helps in weight loss as there is a myriad of foods that have weight-reducing properties.

How do you jazz up boring soup? ›

Soups are transformed by the addition of crunchy, creamy, fresh and/or herby things, he says, but you can go as simple (yoghurt, soft-boiled eggs, toasted nuts) or fancy (fish tartare) as you like.

What is the national dish of Malaysia? ›

Nasi lemak (Jawi: ناسي لمق‎) is a dish originating in Malay cuisine that consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. It is commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered the national dish.

What is Malaysia number one food? ›

1. Nasi Lemak. Nasi Lemak Nasi Lemak (literally, “rice and coconut”) is a popular Malaysian dish consisting of steamed rice and grated fresh coconut, served on banana leaves. The hearty dish is often served for breakfast or lunch.

Why does soup taste better the next day? ›

An array of salty, umami, tangy elements move in and out of the components in the soup or stew, balancing and integrating the overall flavor. Cooking beans in broth allows them to absorb some flavor from their surrounding liquid; but letting them sit for hours in the broth does a much more complete job.

Can you overcook vegetable soup? ›

Overcooking your veggies

But for any other soup — from split pea to vegetable to a hearty potato-filled stew — you want your produce to have some thickness and consistency. You want to know what you're eating. And when you overcook your vegetables, that just isn't possible.

Can I keep soup in the fridge? ›

A general rule of thumb is that soup can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, but you should always taste your dish before deciding to reheat. A clear, vegetable-based soup with some acidity, such as tomatoes, may last longer. Chicken soup usually lasts three to five days.

What does eating 3 carrots a day do? ›

Once a beta-carotene containing food is digested, special cells in the gut break it into two molecules of retinol (also known as vitamin A). This vitamin A is then used in various critical bodily functions such as vision, reproduction, immunity and growth.

Can I use old carrots in soup? ›

Make a comforting soup

If your carrots have gone soft, don't throw them away! Soft raw carrots are great for blending into a comforting soup. Keep it classic with carrot and coriander, or turn up the heat with fiery ginger and turmeric.

What does carrot and cucumber do to the body? ›

The presence of carotene in carrots fights anemia and increases the levels of red blood cells. Whereas, cucumbers are good sources of phytonutrients such as flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes. They have anti-inflammatory, anti cancer benefits and also antioxidants.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

How do you deepen soup flavor? ›

Brown or Sear the Meat

If you are adding meat to a soup, sear or brown it in a sauté pan before you add it to the soup. This adds a deeper savory flavor to the whole soup. This trick is especially useful for things like chicken and sausage, which can sometimes get bland and rubbery while floating in a brothy soup.

What is the national soup of Malaysia? ›

Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from Malaysia, Indonesia (in Java, Medan, and Palembang), Singapore, and Southern Asian countries. Just like Nasi Lemak, Laksa is also considered to be the national dish in Malaysia. There are three main types of Laksa; Asam Laksa, Curry Laksa, and a combination of both.

What is the name of the noodle soup in Malaysia? ›

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup from Malaysia, also found in other South East Asian counties including Singapore and Indonesia. Laksa as we know it here in Australia is made with a coconut broth that is spicy and fragrant.

What is the staple food of Malaysia? ›

Rice (Malay: nasi) is the most important staple food in Malaysia. According to Indonesian-born food and cookery writer Sri Owen, there is some evidence for rice cultivation found in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo dated 2300 BC, and about 900 years of history for the state of Kelantan in West Malaysia.

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