An instant soup mix is handy if you don't have the time or ingredients needed to complete it. If you already have a go-to favorite, there are other unexplored varieties in the market that you can try. Soup or sabaw is an integral part of our daily meals. Aside from being a side dish, it also works well in warming up your stomach if you have no appetite.
There is something reassuring about a hot bowl as it can instantly make you feel better. In addition, it also works as a quick meal when you're pressed for time! In this article, we have prepared a buying guide, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, to serve as a reference when choosing an instant soup mix. You can also look at our top 10 picks to give you more options!
Quick List - Top Instant Soup Mixes
Knorr
Flavorful Homey Goodness Filipinos Love
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
Besides the difference in terms of eating convenience, the type of packaging also determines the preparation method. Perhaps you want a soup that just needs water or maybe you want one that seems more homemade.
When you’re pressed for time or quite literally have nothing to go on in your kitchen, soup in a cup is a hassle-free option as you only need boiling water, and it takes about a few minutes tops. You have everything you need in the cup.
It is also quite portable as you can bring it with you to the office, which makes for a convenient and mess-free meal. Plus, you only need a spoon and you’re good to go. It also works as a quick snack in between classes!
If you want to take your time with soup, then go for soup packets or sachets. Unlike cup soups, it takes longer to cookーyou usually have to wait until it reaches a boil, just like you would with regular soup. Some even include dried rice, beans, or vegetables, so it is more filling. This gives it a closer taste to homemade ones.
You could flex your creative juices and add meat or vegetables, depending on your preference. A sachet or packet could easily serve your whole family, whereas cup soups are generally single-serve. It is less bulky to store at home as well!
The most straightforward way to cook instant soup is to add water. And usually, this type is what is available in the market. However, there are some that are unseasoned and will call for additional ingredients such as a bouillon cube or even meat and vegetables.
It’s not really a bad thing, as it provides you with a blank canvas where you could customize your own flavor. Just make sure to read the instructions carefully so you won’t scramble for other ingredients upon cooking it.
Now that you know what comprises an instant soup mix, it's time to choose the flavor. Pick between a vegetable and a meat base, depending on your preference. Soup mixes have quite a variety of range nowadays. You could go for clear broth types or even creamy ones!
A vegetable-based soup is great if you want a light yet satisfying meal. It is ideal if you are watching your calorie intake, as it would undoubtedly contain less than meat-based ones. But it could also serve as an appetizer as it is not too heavy. It is also a great option for those who are vegetarian or vegan, as it does not contain animal products.
Meat-based soups are going to be more filling and richer than vegetable-based ones. This gives you the option of eating it as a meal on its own or as a side in addition to your main dish. You could add plain noodles or rice if you want to have something more substantial to chew on. It could also work as a great base for Filipino sabaw dishes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Knorr Soup Sampler Pack|Nido Oriental, Crab and Corn, Cream of Mushroom | ![]() | Flavorful Homey Goodness Filipinos Love | |
2 | Pokka Sapporo Happy Soup |Corn Potage | ![]() | Sweet Corn Soup That Kids and Adults Can Enjoy | |
3 | Bob's Red Mill 13 Bean Soup | ![]() | Soup Loaded With Protein and Fiber Goodness | |
4 | Bunga All Natural Kalabasa/Squash Soup Powder | ![]() | Delicious and Helps Support Local Small-Scale Farmers | |
5 | Injoy Beef Bulalo Cream Soup | ![]() | Hearty Bulalo Soup in an Instant | |
6 | Ottogi Delicious Miyeokguk (Seaweed Soup) | ![]() | Switch Up Birthdays by Eating Seaweed Soup | |
7 | Get Well Soup Coconut, Ginger & Carrot Soup | ![]() | A Healing Soup for When You’re Under the Weather | |
8 | Miyasaka Instant Miso Soup|Awase | ![]() | A Variety of Miso to Choose From | |
9 | Lee Kum Kee Soup Base|Seafood Soup Base, Chicken Soup Base, Pork Bone Soup Base | ![]() | Satisfy Your Hotpot Cravings at the Comfort of Your Home | |
10 | Annie Chun's Vietnamese-Style Pho Soup Bowl | ![]() | A Healthier Take on Instant Soup |
Get the best value for your money with this 3-in-1-soup sampler pack from Knorr. It has got all-time Filipino favorites. Savor the real Chinese taste of Nido Oriental and Crab and Corn, and relish the creaminess of Cream of Mushroom in one bundle. This simple formula is what everyone can easily enjoy.
Their soup is a kitchen staple for many households, as they are known for their home-style goodness mixed in with natural ingredients. It is the perfect accompaniment for rice and ulam, as a lot of Filipinos find comfort in drinking soup alongside their meals. This is a great addition to your fried foods, like crispy fried chicken or fish!
This corn soup can serve as a quick meal if you're in a rush or need something easy-to-make to keep you full. It has a rich texture that is mellowed by the slightly sweet corn taste and saltiness of the chicken broth. We're sure that this will make for an engaging taste that can perk you right up.
Corn is known for its forgiving taste, which means it doesn't taste too artificial or off-putting. It is one of the few flavors that are a safe bet no matter the dish. This soup is definitely one that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It's heartwarming and delicious at the same time!
Bob’s Red Mill soup mix deviates from our usual perception of soup as this one can fill you up, unlike a light appetizer. This soup delivers something akin to a whole meal in itself as their soup mix also contains 13 variations of beans, making it a very satisfying meal.
Whole beans are a great source of dietary fiber as well as protein, so this is a great protein-packed recommendation for vegans. It does not contain any seasonings, so you can sauté it to give it a more homemade feel. It also works well as a base for chili dishes in case you want to switch it up.
Taste the natural homegrown goodness of squash from Bunga. They source it directly from the fruits of the labor of small-scale farmers in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. The Kalabasa is spray dried into a natural squash powder that is rich in vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as minerals.
Now you can enjoy squash soup without having to cut open a whole squash. You simply mix 1 part of water with 1-2 parts of the soup powder. You could also cook it with garlic and onion if you want that gisa taste. Alternatively, you could swap milk for the water to get a creamier taste that’s perfect for dipping crusty bread in.
Beef bulalo is delicious but rather time-consuming to cook since you need to boil beef shanks until the collagen and fat have melted and incorporated into the broth. If you don’t have the time, Injoy’s lets you enjoy this tasty sabaw in a jiffy!
It also works well if you’re on a budget, as each pack can last you for quite some time. You can now have piping hot soup whether you are cooking for a crowd or for yourself, simply adjust the ratio of powder to water. It also works as a great base if you are just beginning to experiment with cooking.
If we have spaghetti for birthdays, then Koreans have seaweed soup. In K-dramas, perhaps you’ve watched an instance wherein they eat seaweed soup on their birthday. This is done as a show of gratitude and respect for the mothers who gave birth to them.
Mothers typically eat seaweed soup after giving birth, as it is rich in calcium and iodine, nutrients that are beneficial for nursing mothers. It is also a common side dish as well. Ottogi’s seaweed soup takes the hassle out of preparation. You just boil it for 8 minutes. The soup is also a great base if you want to add vegetables or meat.
Get Well Soup PH believes that a good bowl of soup can heal you. They understand how comforting it is to have a warm bowl of soup whenever you're not feeling well or when you just need some TLC. So they have introduced different soup creations to make sure that any of their products will hit the right spot, especially for you.
This soup is made from coconut cream, ginger, and carrots that are infused with herb and turmeric-infused vegetable stock. It is then blended to its golden perfection. This product is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and preservatives-free. You can enjoy this warm bowl with a fresh baguettini.
Miso soup is considered one of Japan’s daily soups. It is one of those dishes that are best served alongside rice and ulam, and it can be consumed at any time of the day. This instant soup mix offers 5 different flavors of misoーfrom wakame to fried bean curd. It doesn’t involve complicated preparations either!
This is ideal if you don’t have a lot of time to prepare the real thing or don’t have access to the ingredients needed. Why not cook your own tonkatsu at home for lunch? Miso is also great for breakfast if you are not too hungry and just want something light.
Hotpot is an easy choice of comfort food for a lot of people because of how soothing and filling it is when eaten. It's even better if you can customize your own hotpot to your liking. No need to look for a restaurant that has the best one when you can make your own version with all your favorite ingredients.
With Lee Kum Kee's hot pot base, you can easily pour it into boiling hot water and have your own pick of chicken, pork, seafood base, and more. You can just add your favorite vegetables and meat, have some company over and enjoy as if you're eating out. You don't even have to spend so much to enjoy a good hotpot!
Pho is a popular Vietnamese dish and is sometimes considered to be their national dish. It is served everywhere, from households to restaurants. This particular soup bowl consists of a vegetable broth with shitake mushrooms and scallions, which makes it a suitable option for vegetarians and vegans.
Annie Chun’s is low in fat and does not contain any cholesterol, so it is a good alternative if you want an instant soup on the healthier side. It even has a bit of Hokkien noodles, which makes it more filling. This instant pho is a great way to expand your arsenal of instant soup mixes.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Yes, soup mixes do expire. The general shelf life of instant soup is about 18 to 24 months as long as the instructions for storage have been thoroughly followed. It's best to consume an open pack as soon as possible or make sure that it is tightly sealed.
Instant soup is usually low in calories. So if you're concerned about tracking those macros, having instant soup every now and then wouldn't be so harmful to your diet plan. However, keep in mind that losing weight isn't just about calories. Instant soup is usually high in sodium, and it may lead to bloating issues for a lot of people.
While it is convenient to eat instant soup, it's not a good meal or snack to eat on a daily basis. Most instant soup on the market contains high amounts of sodium and preservatives, which may lead to digestive issues. Since it is also processed food, it loses a lot of the ingredients' nutritional value.
While nothing beats the comfort of a good homecooked meal, sometimes our busy schedule necessitates the need for instant and ready-to-eat food. Here are some meal ideas in case you are pressed for time and need something put together quickly.
Author: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Knorr|Soup Sampler Pack|Nido Oriental, Crab and Corn, Cream of Mushroom
No. 2: Pokka Sapporo|Happy Soup |Corn Potage
No. 3: Bob's Red Mill|13 Bean Soup
No. 4: Bunga|All Natural Kalabasa/Squash Soup Powder
No. 5: Injoy|Beef Bulalo Cream Soup
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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