ABC Soup

This ABC soup is a simple Malaysian chicken soup made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and onions simmered in a light, savory broth. The vegetables slowly flavor the broth as they cook, giving this chicken ABC soup a naturally sweet, comforting taste without needing a long ingredient list. It’s an easy cold-weather soup that makes a hearty dinner while still being light and brothy.

Why You'll Love This Viral ABC Soup Recipe

I had honestly never heard of ABC Soup until I saw a video of it going viral, and that was enough to get my attention. I make a lot of chicken soups (my most recent is this cold-fighting chicken noodle soup) once the weather cools down, so I wanted to see what made this Malaysian-style version different from the ones I usually make.

What surprised me most when I made it was how much flavor came from such a short ingredient list. I started by simmering the chicken on its own and skimming the foam from the top, which gave me a much cleaner-looking broth before the vegetables went in. Then I let the potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and onions simmer slowly until they were completely tender.

That longer simmer made a bigger difference than I expected. The tomatoes gave the broth a little acidity, the carrots and onions added sweetness, and the potatoes made each bowl more filling without turning the broth thick or heavy. I also found that waiting until the end to add the salt and white pepper made it easier to get the seasoning right after everything had cooked down.

It’s a really straightforward chicken and vegetable soup, but it tastes different from the chicken soups I usually make. I totally get why this chicken soup went viral, and it's definitely one you'll want to keep in the rotation through the colder months.

ABC Soup Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
• 3 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2 large carrots, cut into large chunks
• 2 medium white onions, each halved and quartered
• 4 Roma tomatoes, each halved and quartered
• 6 cups water
• 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for serving

Ingredient Notes That Make This Viral Chicken Soup Better

• Chicken: Bone-in chicken legs or drumsticks are best because they give the broth more flavor as they simmer. You can use thighs instead, but I’d keep the bone in for the richest broth.
• Russet potatoes: Russets soften nicely and make the soup more filling. Yukon Gold potatoes also work and hold their shape a little better.
• Carrots: Cut them into fairly large pieces so they stay intact during the longer simmer instead of turning mushy.
• Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes work well because they add acidity and a light sweetness without making the broth overly watery. Any ripe plum-style tomato will work.
• Onions: White onions give the broth a clean, savory-sweet flavor. Yellow onions are an easy substitute if that’s what you have.
• Chicken bouillon powder: This boosts the savory flavor of the broth without changing its clear texture. Since bouillon can be salty, wait until the end before adding more salt.
• White pepper: White pepper gives the soup gentle heat without the sharper flavor of black pepper. Black pepper can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different.

How to Make ABC Soup

Step 1: Simmer the Chicken

Add the chicken and water to a large stockpot. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for about 20–30 minutes. As foam rises to the surface during the first several minutes, skim it off with a spoon for a cleaner broth.

Step 2: Add the Vegetables

Add the potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, and chicken bouillon powder. Bring the soup back to a light boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Cook Until Tender

Simmer uncovered for about 40 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are completely tender and the chicken is cooked through. Keep the heat steady rather than letting the soup boil aggressively.

Step 4: Season the Broth

Turn off the heat and stir in the salt and white pepper. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 5: Serve

Ladle the chicken, vegetables, and plenty of broth into bowls. Finish with sliced green onions and serve hot.

My Tips for the Best ABC Soup

• Keep the simmer gentle. Once the soup gets going, you want small bubbles rather than a hard boil. A rough boil can make the broth cloudy and break the potatoes apart.
• Skim early, not at the end. Most of the foam from the chicken rises during the first part of cooking. Removing it as it appears gives you a cleaner broth and makes the soup look and taste better.
• Cut the vegetables bigger than you think. ABC Soup cooks for a while, so small pieces can turn too soft. Larger chunks hold their shape and give each bowl more texture.
• Don’t stir the pot constantly. Once the vegetables are tender, too much stirring can start breaking down the potatoes and tomatoes. Give the soup an occasional gentle stir and leave it alone otherwise.
• Taste the broth only after it has fully simmered. The chicken, vegetables, and bouillon continue adding flavor as they cook. Seasoning too aggressively at the beginning can leave you with an overly salty broth by the end.
• Add hot water if too much broth cooks off. If the liquid level drops more than you want during the longer simmer, add a little hot water rather than cold. It keeps the soup temperature steady.
• Let the soup sit for a few minutes before serving. After turning off the heat, give it about 5–10 minutes. The broth settles and the flavors come together without continuing to aggressively cook the vegetables.

ABC Soup FAQs

Why is it called ABC Soup?

There isn’t one confirmed explanation for the name. Two commonly repeated theories are that the soup is called ABC because it’s easy to make, “as easy as ABC,” or because ingredients such as carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes are associated with vitamins A, B, and C.

Is ABC Soup Malaysian?

ABC Soup is especially common in Malaysian and Singaporean home cooking, with different families making their own versions. Some use chicken, while others use pork ribs, corn, celery, or other vegetables.

What vegetables go in ABC Soup?

Potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and onions are the vegetables I consider essential for this version. Corn and celery are also common additions if you want to add more vegetables without changing the basic character of the soup.

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken legs?

Yes, but the broth won’t have quite as much richness as it does with bone-in chicken. If you use chicken breast, keep an eye on the cooking time so it doesn’t become dry while the vegetables finish simmering.

Why is my ABC Soup broth cloudy?

A hard boil can make the broth cloudier, especially when cooking bone-in chicken. Keep it at a gentle simmer and skim off the foam and impurities that rise during the beginning of cooking. This gives you a cleaner-looking broth.

Do you eat ABC Soup with rice?

You can eat it on its own, but serving ABC Soup with steamed white rice is common and makes it a more substantial meal. I especially like rice on the side because it keeps the broth light but the dinner is more filling.

Can I make ABC Soup ahead of time?

Yes. ABC Soup reheats well, and making it ahead gives the chicken and vegetables more time to flavor the broth. You can make it up to 4 days ahead and store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat it over low heat on the stovetop so the potatoes don’t break apart. 

Soup Recipes to Try Next

• Sicilian chicken soup
• Sausage and lentil soup
• Italian penicillin soup
• Japanese clear soup
• Parmesan Italian soup
• Creamy potsticker soup