Does Chinese Soup Have Carbs? A Comprehensive Guide

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Most traditional Chinese soups are naturally low in carbohydrates, consisting primarily of broth, vegetables, and lean protein. However, the modern Americanized versions often contain ingredients like cornstarch or noodles, which can significantly increase the carb count.

Quick Summary

The carb content of Chinese soup varies drastically based on the ingredients used. Soups with a clear broth, vegetables, and protein are typically low in carbohydrates, while those with noodles, dumplings, or thickened with cornstarch can be surprisingly high in carbs. Making informed choices at restaurants and cooking at home can help manage carb intake.

Key Points

Variety is Key: The carb content in Chinese soup varies widely depending on the ingredients, from very low to very high.
Thickened Soups Are High-Carb: Soups thickened with cornstarch, like Hot and Sour, have a higher carb count than thin, clear broth soups.
Noodles and Dumplings Add Carbs: Wonton soup and noodle soups contain a significant amount of carbs due to the flour-based noodles and wrappers.
Choose Broth-Based Options: Opt for clear broth soups with protein and vegetables, such as Egg Drop or simple vegetable soups, for the lowest carb content.
Customize Your Order: Ask for no cornstarch, noodles, or rice when ordering at a restaurant to reduce carbohydrates.
Control Carbs at Home: Cooking Chinese soup yourself is the best way to manage all ingredients and ensure it fits a low-carb diet.

The question of whether Chinese soup has carbs is more complex than a simple yes or no. The truth is, it heavily depends on the specific type of soup, its preparation method, and the ingredients included. A basic broth-based soup with vegetables and meat will be very different nutritionally from a thick, starchy soup with noodles or dumplings.

The Role of Ingredients in Chinese Soup Carb Content

To understand the carb profile of Chinese soups, it's essential to break down the common components.

Low-Carb Chinese Soup Ingredients

Broth: A traditional Chinese stock is made by simmering bones with aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions. This type of broth contains virtually no carbohydrates.
Lean Protein: Ingredients such as chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu are excellent, carb-free additions that increase a soup's protein content.
Leafy Greens and Vegetables: Many Chinese soups feature nutrient-dense, low-carb vegetables like bok choy, napa cabbage, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
Flavorings: Aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic, scallions, and soy sauce (which contains minimal carbs in a standard serving) contribute immense flavor without adding significant carbohydrates.

High-Carb Additions to Chinese Soup

Noodles: One of the most significant sources of carbs in Chinese noodle soup, including egg noodles or rice noodles, can add 30–45 grams of carbohydrates per cup.
Dumplings and Wontons: The wrapper for wontons and dumplings is made from wheat flour, making them a dense source of carbs. A single cup of wonton soup can have over 12 grams of carbohydrates, mostly from the wrappers.
Cornstarch: In many Americanized Chinese soups, cornstarch is used as a thickening agent. This adds a substantial amount of carbohydrates. For example, hot and sour soup often contains cornstarch, increasing its carb count. Health-conscious recipes sometimes substitute arrowroot starch or keto-friendly thickeners to reduce carbs.
Certain Vegetables: While most vegetables are low-carb, some root vegetables, like lotus root, are higher in carbohydrates.

A Comparison of Popular Chinese Soups

Here is a table comparing the approximate nutritional content of common Chinese soups, with a focus on their carb counts. Note that values can vary depending on preparation and portion size.


Soup Type	Primary Ingredients	Carb Level	Carbs (Approx. per Cup)	Key Carb Sources	Notes
Egg Drop Soup	Chicken broth, eggs, scallions	Low	4–5 grams	Minor thickening agents	Generally a safe, low-carb option.
Wonton Soup	Wontons, broth, scallions	Moderate	12–31 grams	Wonton wrappers (wheat flour)	A significant source of carbohydrates.
Hot and Sour Soup	Broth, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, egg, tofu, cornstarch	Moderate	10–15 grams	Cornstarch, some vegetables	Restaurant versions are often higher due to more cornstarch.
Noodle Soup	Broth, vegetables, meat, noodles	High	30+ grams	Noodles (egg or rice)	Primarily a carb-heavy meal rather than a side dish.
Vegetable Broth Soup	Broth, assorted vegetables	Very Low	<10 grams	Vegetables	The best choice for a very low-carb meal.

How to Keep Chinese Soup Low-Carb

If you are following a low-carb diet like keto or just watching your intake, you can still enjoy Chinese soup with a few simple adjustments.

Request Broth-Based Soups: At a restaurant, stick to soups explicitly described as clear broth with vegetables and protein. Examples include egg drop soup or simple vegetable soups.
Ask for No Thickener: If ordering a soup that is traditionally thickened, such as hot and sour, request it without cornstarch. This will dramatically reduce the carb load.
Hold the Noodles and Rice: Avoid soups that feature noodles or rice as a main component. These are the primary carb culprits.
Make It at Home: The best way to control carb content is to cook your own soup. This allows you to choose ingredients and control thickening methods. For example, use a keto-friendly thickener like guar gum or just a simple, un-thickened broth. You can also add high-protein, low-carb fillings like shrimp or ground pork to homemade wonton-less soups.
Be Aware of Hidden Carbs: Sauces can sometimes contain added sugars. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or limit the amount of sweetened sauces used.

Low-Carb Friendly Chinese Soups

For those seeking low-carb options, here are some excellent choices to either order or prepare at home:

Egg Drop Soup: A classic choice, featuring a savory, clear chicken or vegetable broth with ribbons of egg.
Seaweed Soup (Haicai Tang): A light and savory soup made with dried seaweed, which is very low in carbs and high in nutrients.
Chinese Chicken Sparerib Soup: This recipe from I Heart Umami focuses on a hearty bone broth with chicken and vegetables, making it a paleo and keto-friendly option.
Tomato and Egg Soup (Fan Qie Dan Hua Tang): A light and flavorful soup, which can be made low-carb by omitting any starch thickeners. RecipeTin Eats provides a great example.
Chinese Vegetable Soup: A simple and healthy option featuring a clear broth and an assortment of low-carb vegetables like napa cabbage, celery, and mushrooms.

Conclusion

In summary, whether Chinese soup contains carbs is dependent on the type of soup and its preparation. Soups based on simple broth, protein, and vegetables are naturally low in carbohydrates and can be a healthy, flavorful option. Conversely, soups with noodles, dumplings, or cornstarch are high-carb and should be limited on a low-carb diet. By understanding the ingredients and making conscious choices, you can enjoy Chinese soup while managing your carbohydrate intake effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, egg drop soup is typically low in carbs. It is made from a thin broth with whisked eggs and does not contain high-carb ingredients like noodles or cornstarch in significant amounts.

To make Chinese soup low-carb at home, use bone or vegetable broth as a base, add plenty of low-carb vegetables like bok choy and mushrooms, and lean protein like chicken or tofu. Avoid adding rice, noodles, or cornstarch for thickening.

Yes, wonton soup can have a lot of carbs due to the wonton wrappers, which are made from wheat flour. The carb count can vary, but a single cup can contain a notable amount of carbohydrates.

Hot and sour soup is not typically low-carb because it is often thickened with cornstarch, which adds carbohydrates. However, you can request it be made without the thickener or make a low-carb version at home.

The carb count of Chinese vegetable soup is generally low, provided it is made with a clear broth and primarily non-starchy vegetables like cabbage, celery, and mushrooms. One recipe for Chinese Veg Soup reported 7.8g of carbs per serving.

Plain Chinese broths, such as traditional bone or vegetable broths, contain very few to no carbs. The carbs come from added ingredients like sauces, vegetables, or thickeners.

A good low-carb Chinese soup to order is a simple Egg Drop Soup. Other good choices include a clear vegetable soup, but always confirm no added noodles or thickeners like cornstarch are included.