Thai Curry Noodle Soup Recipe — Creamy Thai Coconut Noodle Bowl

This Thai Curry Noodle Soup is bursting with flavour and incredibly simple to make. Ready in under 15 minutes, it uses just one pot and costs less than £5 to prepare—perfect for busy weeknights or when the fridge is running low.

Thai Curry Noodle Soup in a bowl with chopsticks, displayed on a white marble background with lime and coriander.

Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients to make Thai Curry Noodle Soup
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Instructions to make Thai Curry Noodle Soup
  • Leftovers
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Thai Curry Noodle Soup Recipe

Why this recipe works

This recipe is a go-to when your fridge is looking sparse. It relies mainly on store-cupboard staples, is very adaptable to whatever vegetables you have left, and produces a warming, coconut-spiced broth ideal for cooler evenings. The creamy coconut milk balances the red curry paste and spices, while rice noodles give the soup a satisfying texture.

Ingredients to make Thai Curry Noodle Soup

Ingredients to make Thai Curry Noodle Soup displayed on a white marble background.
  • Rice noodles – thicker rice noodles hold up well in the soup, though thinner vermicelli will also work.
  • Thai red curry paste – provides warmth and depth. Adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.
  • Vegetable stock – adds body and enhances the savoury base.
  • Lime – brighten the soup with a splash of acidity at the end.
  • Coconut milk – creates a silky, creamy broth and complements the curry spices.
  • Ginger paste – for a warm, slightly sweet bite (fresh ginger is a fine substitute).
  • Red pepper – adds colour and crunch; any pepper variety will do.
  • Garlic – essential aromatics for depth of flavour.
  • Mild curry powder – boosts the spice profile; swap for medium or hot if you like more heat.
  • Onion – a red onion is used here for a touch of sweetness, but white onion or shallot will work.

See recipe card below for full quantities.

Substitutions

  • Noodles: Rice noodles are recommended and are usually gluten-free, but udon or egg noodles can be used instead.
  • Curry powder: Swap mild for medium or hot to increase heat.
  • Curry paste: Use a different paste or omit it and increase the curry powder if necessary.
  • Lime: Lemon works as an alternative if lime is unavailable.
  • Ginger: Fresh ginger can replace ginger paste with an equally good result.

Variations

  • Spice level: Boost heat with more red curry paste, a hotter curry powder, or chilli flakes.
  • Vegetables: Add mushrooms, mange tout, baby corn, or any leftover veg to bulk up the soup.
  • Protein: Add prawns or chicken if not keeping the dish vegan; tofu works well for a vegetarian option.
  • Garnish: Serve with lime wedges, chopped coriander and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavour and texture.
  • Kid friendly: Reduce the spice quantities for children, or omit the curry paste for a gentler flavour.

Instructions to make Thai Curry Noodle Soup

Sliced red pepper, onion and garlic laid out on a wooden chopping board with a knife.

Step 1: Finely slice the onion, crush the garlic and slice the pepper into thin strips.

Onion, red pepper, garlic, red thai curry paste, curry powder, ginger paste in a large pot before cooking, displayed on a white marble background.

Step 2: Heat a large pot with a little oil. Add the onion, pepper, garlic, Thai red curry paste, curry powder and ginger paste. Fry for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

Thai Curry Noodle Soup being cooked in a large pot, coconut milk, water, stock, and noodle have just been added. Pot is displayed on a white marble background.

Step 3: Pour in the coconut milk, add the vegetable stock cube, rice noodles and water. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Cover and simmer for 5–7 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the flavours have melded.

Thai Curry Noodle Soup served in a large cast iron pot served with lime and fresh coriander on white marble.

Step 5: Serve in bowls and finish with a squeeze of lime, a handful of fresh coriander and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.

Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the broth has thickened.

Recipe FAQs

Can I add extra protein into this?

Yes. Add cooked chicken or prawns if you’re not keeping it vegetarian; cubed tofu is a great vegan option.

Is this recipe spicy?

The base recipe is mild. Increase curry paste or use a hotter curry powder and add chilli flakes to make it spicier.

Are rice noodles gluten-free?

Most rice noodles are gluten-free, but always check the packaging to be sure.

Do I have to use rice noodles?

Rice noodles give the best texture for this dish, but udon or egg noodles can be used if preferred.

Close up image of Thai Curry Noodle Soup in a bowl with chopsticks. Blurred image on lime wedge in the background. Displayed on a blurred white marble background.

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Tried this Thai Curry Noodle Soup? Please leave a star rating below and share your thoughts in the comments. Positive feedback helps a lot and I love hearing how your version turned out.

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Thai Curry Noodle Soup in a bowl with chopsticks, displayed on a white marble background with lime and coriander.
5 from 20 votes

Thai Curry Noodle Soup

By: James Wythe
Packed full of flavour, this Thai Curry Noodle Soup is easy to follow, cooks in under 15 minutes and uses just one pot.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes
Servings: 2

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Knife
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, small
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp red Thai curry paste
  • 1 tbsp mild curry powder
  • 1 tsp ginger paste, (or fresh)
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 vegetable stock cube
  • 150g rice noodles
  • 500 ml water
  • 1 lime, juice, to serve
  • 1 handful coriander, to serve
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, to serve

Instructions

  • Finely slice the onion, crush the garlic and slice the pepper into thin strips.
  • Heat oil in a large pot and fry the onion, pepper, garlic, Thai paste, curry powder and ginger paste for 2–3 minutes.
  • Add the coconut milk, stock cube, rice noodles and water. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and simmer for 5–7 minutes until the noodles are cooked and the soup has thickened slightly.
  • Serve in bowls topped with lime juice, coriander and sesame seeds.

Notes

Step-by-step photos: The post includes step-by-step images to guide you through the process.

Substitutions & variations: See the sections above for options and swaps.

To store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat gently, adding a little water if needed.

To freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

Tip 1: Use a good-quality vegetable stock cube for best flavour.

Tip 2: Increase curry paste or add chilli flakes if you like it spicy.

Tip 3: Add chicken or prawns for extra protein, or tofu for a vegan option.

Nutrition

Calories: 493kcal |
Carbohydrates: 9g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 35g |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 10g


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