Soup · Lunch · Asian · Nepalese ·

Vibrant Nepalese Gundruk Soup

Name: Vibrant Nepalese Gundruk Soup
Prep time: 33 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 133 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: Gundruk, 200g, fermented leafy greens; Olive Oil, 2 tablespoons; Cumin Seeds, 1 teaspoon; Onion, 1 medium, finely chopped; Tomato, 2, chopped; Garlic, 3 cloves, minced; Ginger, 2-inch piece, grated; Turmeric Powder, 1 teaspoon; Coriander Powder, 1 teaspoon; Red Chili Powder, ½ teaspoon; Salt, To taste; Fresh Cilantro Leaves, Chopped; Lemon, 1, cut into wedges

This traditional Nepalese soup brings together tangy flavors and rich textures with its central ingredient, gundruk - fermented leafy greens. It's a comforting dish perfect for any meal time, rich in

4.9(381 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 14, 2025

Vibrant Nepalese Gundruk Soup — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

33 min

Cook

1 h 40 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Gundruk Preparation

For the Soup Base

For the Spice Mix

For the Garnish and Finish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 123 kcal
Protein: 2.6 g
Carbs: 12.7 g
Fat: 7.7 g
Fiber: 3.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 492 kcal
Protein: 10.5 g
Carbs: 50.9 g
Fat: 30.9 g
Fiber: 12.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Gundruk 200g, fermented leafy greens	100	5	15	1	5
Olive Oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Cumin Seeds 1 teaspoon	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
Onion 1 medium, finely chopped	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.5
Tomato 2, chopped	44	2	10	0.6	2
Garlic 3 cloves, minced	12	0.6	3	0	0.2
Ginger 2-inch piece, grated	15	0.3	3.5	0.1	0.5
Turmeric Powder 1 teaspoon	8	0.2	1.4	0.2	0.5
Coriander Powder 1 teaspoon	5	0.2	1.2	0.1	0.5
Red Chili Powder ½ teaspoon	3	0.1	0.6	0.1	0.5
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh Cilantro Leaves Chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Lemon 1, cut into wedges	12	0.4	4	0.2	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Rinsing the Gundruk

1
Soak Gundruk
Soak gundruk in cold water for 10 minutes.
Tip: Cooling the gundruk after soaking helps ease its integration into the soup base.
2
Rinse Gundruk
Rinse thoroughly to remove any excess salt.
3
Drain Gundruk
Drain and set aside.

Preparing the Aromatics

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Sizzle Cumin
Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
Tip: Do not let the cumin seeds burn, as it will make the base bitter.
3
Sauté Onions
Add onions and sauté until translucent.

How to Make Vibrant Nepalese Gundruk Soup

Total time: 2 h 13 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmering the Base
Add tomatoes, garlic, and ginger to the onions and cook until tomatoes soften.
2
Spicing Up the Mix
Add the spice mix ingredients and cook for another 2 minutes.
3
Final Assembly
Add gundruk and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes.