Description
Comforting Chinese hot and sour soup delivers a perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Hearty ingredients and quick preparation make this classic dish a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 cup shiitake or button mushrooms (sliced)
- ½ cup bamboo shoots (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup firm tofu (cut into thin strips)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten, for egg ribbons)
Broth and Seasonings:
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or Sriracha, adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon white pepper (for authentic heat!)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (balances flavors, optional)
Thickening Agent and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + ¼ cup water (for thickening slurry)
- 2 green onions (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat chicken broth in a spacious pot over medium temperature, allowing it to gently simmer and develop a rich, aromatic base.
- Incorporate soy sauce, vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar into the simmering broth, whisking thoroughly to create a harmonious, complex flavor profile.
- Carefully blend the seasonings until they are completely integrated, ensuring a balanced and nuanced taste throughout the liquid.
- Allow the mixture to continue simmering, letting the ingredients meld together and intensify the soup’s overall depth and character.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content and create a healthier version of the soup.
- Adjust the chili garlic sauce based on your spice tolerance, adding gradually to reach your preferred heat level.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist on the classic recipe.
- Use rice vinegar for a more authentic flavor profile, which adds subtle sweetness and tangy complexity to the soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg