Easy Fish Ball Noodle Soup (Comforting Homestyle Chinese Soup)

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Soaking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Active Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 1-2

This fish ball noodle soup is what I make when I want something easy and healthy, with simple flavours. Everything cooks in one pot, and the ingredients are simple. I’ll be honest, cleaning the ikan bilis is the one tedious part, because you need to remove the heads and the guts. You can skip it completely by buying ikan bilis that’s already cleaned, and the rest is mostly waiting while the broth simmers.

The broth is light, sweet and comforting, with bouncy fish balls, soft bee hoon and greens that still have a bit of crunch. The sweetness comes from the ikan bilis sautéed until fragrant, the fragrance from the garlic, ginger and a splash of Shaoxing wine, and the finishing aroma from a drizzle of shallot oil on top.

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Watch How to Make It

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What Is Fish Ball Noodle Soup?

Fish ball noodle soup is a homestyle noodle soup you’ll find at hawker stalls and in home kitchens across Malaysia and Singapore. It’s usually made with fish balls, fish cake and noodles in a clear broth. In this version, I made the broth with ikan bilis (dried anchovies), which gives it a natural sweetness without needing stock cubes. I used bee hoon (rice vermicelli), choy sum and daun sup, and serve it with a small dish of cut chilli padi in light soy sauce for dipping.

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Ingredients for Fish Ball Noodle Soup

Serves 1-2

Soup and Noodles (汤和米粉):

• 30 grams dried anchovies (ikan bilis), heads removed, washed (江鱼仔30克，去头，洗净)
• 2 cloves garlic (2瓣蒜头)
• 2–3 slices ginger (2-3片姜)
• 2 tablespoons oil (2汤匙油)
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (1汤匙绍兴酒)
• 700 ml water (700毫升水)
• 150 grams fish balls (150克鱼丸)
• 50 grams fish cake (50克鱼饼)
• 2 stalks choy sum (2株菜心)
• 2 stalks daun sup (Chinese celery) (芹菜2根)
• 1-2 portions instant bee hoon (rice vermicelli) (1-2份即食米粉)
• Salt and white pepper, to taste (加盐和胡椒粉调味)

Garnish (装饰):

• 1/2 tablespoon shallot oil or garlic oil, optional (1/2汤匙红葱头油或蒜油，可选)

Dipping Sauce per serving (每份蘸酱):

• 2 chilli padi, sliced (小辣椒2根，切片)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (1汤匙生抽)

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How to Make Fish Ball Noodle Soup

1. Clean and Soak the Ikan Bilis

1. First, remove the heads and guts of the ikan bilis. The guts are the dark part in the middle, and removing them keeps any dirt out of your soup.
2. Then give them a quick wash and soak them in water for about 10 minutes.
3. Strain off the water and pat them dry with kitchen paper, so the oil doesn’t splatter when they go into the pot.

2. Prep the Garlic and Ginger

1. Lightly smack the garlic with the flat of your knife, then remove the skin.
2. Cut 2–3 slices of ginger.

3. Sauté the Ikan Bilis

1. Heat up the pot, then add the oil.
2. Add the garlic and ginger. Sauté until fragrant and golden brown.
3. Next, add the ikan bilis and sauté until fragrant.

4. Simmer the Broth

1. Add the water and Shaoxing wine, and bring to a boil.
2. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the broth turns a light golden colour.

5. Prep the Vegetables

1. While the broth simmers, wash the choy sum and daun sup.
2. Cut off the ends of the choy sum and daun sup, then cut the choy sum and daun sup into pieces about 2 inches long.

6. Prep the Fish Balls and Fish Cake

1. Take the fish balls out of the packet and give them a quick rinse.
2. Pour hot water over them to remove the excess oil, so your soup stays clear, then rinse them again.
3. Then slice the fish cake into thin pieces.

7. Make the Dipping Sauce

1. Slice the chilli padi, add the light soy sauce and set aside.

8. Strain the Broth

1. Use a sieve to scoop the ikan bilis, garlic and ginger out of the pot, then bring the broth back to a boil.

9. Cook the Bee Hoon, Fish Balls and Vegetables

1. Add the bee hoon, fish cake and fish balls, and cook for about 3 minutes.
2. Add the choy sum and daun sup for the last minute, so the vegetables stay green and still have a bit of crunch.

10. Season and Serve

1. Season with salt and a little white pepper, then taste and adjust to your liking.
2. Finally, drizzle the shallot oil on top and serve with the chilli padi and light soy sauce on the side.

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Tips for the Best Fish Ball Noodle Soup

• Buy cleaned ikan bilis. Removing the heads and guts is the tedious part. Ikan bilis that’s already cleaned lets you skip it.
• Dry the ikan bilis well. Pat them dry after soaking so the oil doesn’t splatter when they go into the pot.
• Sauté until fragrant. This is where the broth gets its flavour, so wait until you can smell the ikan bilis.
• Blanch the fish balls with hot water. Pouring hot water over them removes the excess oil and keeps the soup clear.
• Add the greens last. One minute is enough for the choy sum and daun sup to stay green and a little crunchy.

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What to Serve with Fish Ball Noodle Soup

This is a one-bowl meal on its own, with noodles, fish balls and greens all in the pot. Serve it with the chilli padi and light soy sauce dip on the side, and a little extra white pepper at the table. If you’re cooking for more people, a simple side like French Beans with Egg Stir Fry goes well with it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to remove the heads and guts of the ikan bilis?

Yes. The heads and the dark guts can make the soup taste bitter and dirty. To save time, buy ikan bilis that’s already cleaned.

Why pour hot water over the fish balls?

It removes the excess oil on the surface, so your broth stays light and clear.

Can I use other noodles instead of bee hoon?

Yes. Kway teow, yellow noodles or mee sua all work. Adjust the cooking time to suit the noodles you use.

Can I make the ikan bilis broth ahead of time?

Yes. Strain the broth and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bring it back to a boil before adding the noodles, fish balls and vegetables.

What is daun sup?

Daun sup is Chinese celery. It has thin stalks and a stronger aroma than regular celery, and it adds fragrance to the soup.

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You Might Also Like:

• Sour Plum Fish Soup with Leftover Rice
• Chinese Fish Soup with Tomato and Tung Choi (Tianjin Preserved Vegetables)
• Easy Chinese Cabbage Soup Recipe, Healthy One-Pot Meals

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Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to tag @ruyiasianrecipes if you share it on social media.