Flavorful Hot and Sour Soup: A Comforting Bowl of Warmth

Hot and sour soup is a cherished dish in Chinese cuisine, known for warming hearts and exciting taste buds with its lively flavors.

The soup offers a mix of spicy and tangy notes that create an unforgettable eating experience.

Originating from Sichuan province, this comforting dish brings together contrasting tastes in perfect balance.

Ingredients such as tofu, mushrooms, and proteins are skillfully blended to provide a rich and fulfilling meal.

Cooks from various regions have crafted unique versions that highlight local ingredients and methods.

Today, the soup is enjoyed worldwide, becoming a favorite in many Asian restaurants and kitchens at home.

Top Tricks For Great Hot And Sour Soup

• Mushroom Mastery: Soak dried shiitake mushrooms for 30-45 minutes to enhance their flavor and texture, ensuring a rich, authentic taste in your soup.
• Cornstarch Trick: Mix cornstarch with cold broth before heating to prevent lumps and create a smooth, silky consistency that perfectly thickens the soup.
• Egg Ribbon Technique: Pour beaten eggs slowly while stirring gently to create delicate, wispy egg ribbons that distribute evenly throughout the soup.
• Flavor Balancing Act: Adjust seasonings carefully by tasting and adding small amounts of salt, red pepper flakes, or sugar to achieve a perfectly balanced hot and sour profile.
• Prep Like a Pro: Slice all ingredients uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture in every spoonful of the soup.

Hot And Sour Soup Storage That Works

• Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring it cools completely before sealing.
• Freezing: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months, avoiding tofu and egg ribbons as they change texture.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems thick, restoring original consistency.
• Microwave Option: Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots.

Hot And Sour Soup Pairing Ideas

• Complement Spicy Harmony: Pair with a crisp Riesling wine, which balances the soup's heat with its slight sweetness and refreshing acidity.
• Textural Contrast Plate: Serve alongside light vegetable spring rolls or crispy wontons to add crunch and complement the soup's silky texture.
• Temperature Dance: Match with chilled cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar, providing a cool counterpoint to the hot soup's warming spiciness.
• Herbal Refreshment Boost: Enjoy with jasmine green tea, which cleanses the palate and enhances the soup's complex flavor profile.

Fresh Spins On Hot And Sour Soup

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use firm tofu for protein. Add extra mushrooms or plant-based protein like tempeh for heartiness.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free cornstarch and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Reduce added salt and replace soy sauce with a low-sodium alternative. Enhance flavor with additional herbs and spices.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Eliminate cornstarch and use xanthan gum as a thickener. Increase protein with additional tofu or add shredded chicken. Replace sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like stevia.

Hot And Sour Soup Answers You’re Looking For

• What's the key to achieving the perfect hot and sour balance in this soup?

The secret is carefully balancing rice vinegar for sourness and red pepper flakes for heat. Start with small amounts and taste as you go, adjusting until you find the right flavor profile that tingles your taste buds.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. The core flavors come from the seasonings and ingredients like mushrooms and tofu, so the soup remains delicious without meat-based broth.

• Is cornstarch important for this recipe?

Absolutely. Cornstarch helps thicken the soup and creates that classic silky texture. It also helps the eggs form delicate ribbons when you slowly pour them into the hot broth, giving the soup its signature look and feel.

• How do I prevent the tofu from breaking apart while cooking?

Cut tofu into uniform, slightly larger cubes and add them gently to the simmering broth. Stir carefully and minimally to maintain their shape during cooking.

Why Hot And Sour Soup Is Full Of Flavor

• Quick and Easy Comfort Soup: This hot and sour soup delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious meal.
• Speedy Preparation: Completed in under 30 minutes, the recipe involves simple chopping and straightforward cooking techniques that even beginner chefs can master confidently.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels and ingredients to match personal preferences, making this soup adaptable for different taste buds and dietary needs.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein from tofu, vegetables, and eggs, this soup provides a balanced meal that's both satisfying and healthy without creating multiple dirty dishes.

Hot And Sour Soup Ingredient Essentials

Primary Ingredients:

• Tofu: Soft cubes add protein and delicate texture to the soup.
• Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Fresh Mushrooms: Rich, earthy flavor with substantial texture, better when rehydrated if dried.

• Chicken Broth: Core liquid foundation providing depth and warmth.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken and create silky soup consistency.

• Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce: Sharp tangy base creating signature hot and sour profile.
• Sesame Oil: Nutty undertone adding complex Asian-style flavor.
• Rice Wine: Subtle sweet alcoholic note enhancing overall complexity.

• Garlic: Aromatic base with sharp, pungent flavor.
• Ginger: Warm, spicy undertone providing depth.
• White Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Controlled heat elements with different spice characteristics.
• Sugar: Balances overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and rounds out other seasonings.

• Bamboo Shoots: Crunchy texture element with mild vegetable taste.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish adding brightness and color.
• Eggs: Creates signature silky egg ribbons when gently stirred.

Easy Prep Steps For Hot And Sour Soup

Step 1: Prep Ingredients

Slice shiitake mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots. Mince garlic and ginger. Chop green onions for garnish.

Step 2: Create Soup Base

• Chicken broth
• Cornstarch

In a large Dutch oven, combine chicken broth and cornstarch. Whisk thoroughly until cornstarch completely dissolves.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Rice wine
• Minced garlic
• Minced ginger
• Sugar
• Salt
• White pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Heat the broth mixture and add all seasonings. Bring to a rolling boil while stirring continuously.

Step 4: Add Vegetables and Protein

• Sliced shiitake mushrooms
• Cubed tofu
• Sliced bamboo shoots

Add prepared ingredients to boiling broth. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Step 5: Create Silky Egg Ribbons

Remove pot from heat. Slowly pour beaten eggs into soup while gently stirring to create delicate egg strands.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top. Serve piping hot in deep bowls.

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory Chinese Hot and Sour Soup delivers complex layers of tangy spice and rich umami flavors that dance across your palate. Comfort meets tradition in this soul-warming bowl that will transport you to the heart of authentic Chinese cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 16 ounces (454 grams) soft tofu, sliced
• 2 cups (150 grams) shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 ½ cups (255 grams) bamboo shoots, sliced (canned)

Protein and Seasoning:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 46 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice wine
• 2 teaspoons salt (more if needed)

Liquid and Spice Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ginger powder (or fresh ginger)
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper (reduce for less spice)
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (reduce for less spice)
• 2 tablespoons (10 grams) green onions, sliced (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Rehydrate dried shiitake mushrooms by soaking them in warm water for 30-45 minutes, then drain. If using fresh mushrooms, skip this step.
2. Prepare ingredients by thinly slicing mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots. Finely mince garlic and ginger.
3. In a large pot, whisk chicken broth and cornstarch together until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
4. Gradually heat the broth mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
5. Incorporate rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, minced ginger, sugar, salt, white pepper, and red pepper flakes into the simmering broth.
6. Allow the liquid to reach a rolling boil, developing a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
7. Carefully add sliced mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots to the bubbling broth.
8. Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing ingredients to become tender and infuse their flavors.
9. Taste the soup and fine-tune seasonings, adjusting salt for depth, red pepper flakes for heat, or sugar for balance.
10. Remove pot from heat and create delicate egg ribbons by slowly drizzling beaten eggs while gently stirring the soup.
11. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve piping hot.

Notes

• Mushroom Tip: Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water to enhance their rich, umami flavor and ensure they’re tender and fully hydrated before slicing.
• Texture Trick: Whisk eggs gently and pour slowly into the simmering soup to create beautiful, delicate egg ribbons that distribute evenly throughout the dish.
• Customization Hack: Adjust the heat and tanginess by increasing red pepper flakes

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg