Start by giving the onions a light sauté. Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan. Add the onions and cook, stirring constantly, until they are just slightly softened.
Chop the meat into 1" cubes while the onion is cooking.
Place the onions, beef, garlic, ginger and 2 cups of broth into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 30 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining ingredients. Give it all a good stir.
Cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours (it can cook longer if you'd like, but no more than 8 hours).
Place 1/2 cup rice in the bottom of each bowl and top with 1/4 of the soup. Serve hot!