Hot and sour soup is a spicy, sour, and popular Chinese takeout classic! Filled with a variety of tasty ingredients like shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chicken breast or pork, tofu, vinegar, white pepper, and classic Chinese sauces, this soup is a meal in itself or the perfect addition to any spread of Asian cuisine for both lunch and dinner.
This homemade Hot and Sour Soup is one of the healthy and best soup recipes and is sure to make a filling and hearty meal. Whether you're looking for something to warm you up on a cold day or just want a delicious and satisfying starter for your meal, this Hot and Sour soup is sure to hit the spot.
And the best part? I've also shared the easy recipe on how to make a Hot and Sour Soup recipe at home with step-by-step instructions and a video to guide you through the cooking process.
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What is Hot and Sour Soup?
Hot and Sour soup is a classic Chinese dish that is both hot and sour, and perfect for warming up on cold winter days. It is typically made with shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chicken stock, chicken or pork meat, tofu, vinegar, white pepper powder, and basic Chinese sauces. This delicious soup is a must-try for anyone looking for a hearty and comforting meal.
The white pepper used in this soup gives it a strong, earthy, and nutty flavor that contributes to the hot taste. The vinegar used in the recipe gives the soup its sour flavor. Though this soup is known for its hot and sour taste, you can easily adjust the flavors to your preference. You can also use your preferred protein, such as chicken or pork, depending on your family's needs.
Overall, if you are looking for a healthy dinner or longing for the best Asian recipes to inspire your family, this Hot and Sour soup is a great choice. So let's make a pot of this delicious Chinese Hot and Sour soup at home.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this Hot and Sour soup, you will need a few basic Chinese pantry ingredients and fresh produce that can usually be found at most Asian grocery stores. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need.
Main Ingredients
Below are the main ingredients for making this soup.
- Mushrooms: You will need shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms for this recipe. The wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus, have an earthy flavor. If you are unable to find these specific types of mushrooms, you can use white or brown mushrooms as substitutes. If you decide to use dried mushrooms, be sure to soak them in hot water until they soften. While these mushrooms are authentic ingredients, you can also add vegetables such as carrots and cabbage for a veggie-loaded soup
- Bamboo shoots: These add a sweet, earthy taste and crunchy texture to the soup. If you are not familiar with bamboo shoots or do not prefer them, feel free to omit them from the recipe
- Tofu: You will need extra firm tofu and spicy tofu for this recipe, but you can use just extra firm tofu if you don't have both on hand
- Chicken breast: Instead of pork, which is often used in authentic Chinese recipes, this recipe calls for thinly sliced chicken breast. You can use pork if you prefer
- Eggs: These are beaten and added to the soup to create "egg flowers," also known as egg ribbons
- Chicken stock: Add so much flavor to the soup
- Ginger: This adds a warm and spicy flavor note to the soup
Other Ingredients
Below are the other seasonings you will need for making this soup.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce delivers an umami flavor, while dark soy sauce adds color to your soup
- Rice vinegar: This gives the soup a sour taste. You can also use white vinegar
- Chili flakes: Delivers a mild heat to the soup, but you can also use chili sauce or chili garlic sauce
- Brown sugar: To enhance the overall flavor and taste of the soup
- Ground white pepper: Adds a hot, spicy flavor to the soup. Start with a minimal amount and adjust to your taste preferences. If white pepper is not handy feel free to replace it with black pepper
- Toasted sesame oil: This adds a rustic, earthy flavor to the soup
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Hot and Sour Soup at Home?
The recipe I am sharing with you is a classic Chinese dish called Hot and Sour Soup. It is extremely popular and is the perfect comfort food to enjoy on a cold winter day or to start off your Chinese food feast. This soup is bursting with flavor and is sure to satisfy your taste buds with its delicious goodness. The best part is that it is very versatile, allowing you to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Prep the Ingredients
- Prep the mushrooms - Thinly slice the shiitake and wood ear mushrooms. If using dried mushrooms, soak them in hot water until soft and then slice. If using fresh mushrooms, clean them with a damp kitchen towel and slice them thinly. Thinly slice the bamboo shoots lengthwise too
- Prep the tofu - Cut the tofu into desired shapes. You can cut the spiced tofu directly, but for extra firm tofu, drain the water and press out excess moisture before cutting
- Thinly slice the chicken breast and marinate it with soy sauce and cornstarch for added flavor
- Prep eggs and seasoning - Prepare the eggs by beating them and setting them aside. Then, gather all the necessary seasonings including soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, cornstarch slurry, ground white pepper, and other desired seasonings
Prep Hot and Sour Soup:
- Heat the chicken stock - In a wide pot or pan over medium heat, pour 6 cups of chicken stock and add finely chopped ginger and bring them to a warm temperature
- Add Chicken - Add the marinated chicken and give it a gentle stir.
- Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and seasonings - Throw in the shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, and season with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, chili flakes, and brown sugar. Let the mixture boil for 10-15 minutes.
- Add tofu - Add the tofu and give it a good stir. Let it boil for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Thicken the soup - Thick the soup by adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch diluted in 3-4 tablespoons of water, cooking until you get the desired soupy consistency.
- Create egg flowers - Slowly add the beaten eggs, stirring to create a ribbon structure.
- Garnish and remove - Finally, add a pinch of ground white pepper, chopped scallions, and toasted sesame oil, stirring gently. Take the soup off the heat and it's ready to be served
Tips
- Dried vs Fresh Mushroom - When it comes to the type of mushrooms to use in this recipe, you can choose between dried or fresh. I personally prefer fresh shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, but if you decide to use dried mushrooms, be sure to soak them in hot water until they become soft. This will make it easier to slice them. It's worth noting that wood ear mushrooms may also be labeled as "dried black fungus," so don't be confused if you see this on the label
- Pork Meat - In traditional Chinese Hot and Sour Soup, pork is often used, but I've chosen to use chicken in this recipe. Feel free to use pork if that's your preference.
- Adjust the hot and sour taste - If you want to adjust the level of heat in the soup, feel free to increase the amount of ground white pepper. For a more sour taste, consider adding more vinegar to the recipe.
- Vegetarian version - To make a vegetarian version of Hot and Sour Soup, omit the chicken and egg. Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock. This will create a plant-based version of the dish that is still delicious
Storage Suggestions
This Hot and Sour Soup tastes best when served immediately. However, the leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat, simply place it on the stovetop and heat it until it is warm and evenly heated throughout. Enjoy it again!
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy this Comforting Hot and Sour Soup alongside some of your favorite Chinese dishes such as fried rice, chicken fried rice, Szechuan chicken, kung pao chicken, and honey garlic shrimp. Alternatively, you can pair it with other Asian takeout favorites like pad Thai, orange chicken, and teriyaki chicken for a delicious and satisfying spread.
Related Recipes
Below are some other comforting soup recipes that you might enjoy. You can find even more delicious recipes in our Chinese and Asian recipes.
Hot and Sour Soup Recipe Video
Below, I have included a detailed video of the Hot and Sour Soup recipe that I hope will help you create a delicious, Asian takeout-style dish at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Hot and Sour Soup
Ingredients
- 0.7 lb Shiitake Mushroom, thinly sliced, dried or fresh
- 4 oz Wood Ear Mushroom
- ¼ cup Bamboo Shoot, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Spicy Tofu, thickly sliced
- ½ cup Extra Firm Tofu, Thickly sliced
- 2 Eggs
- 6 cup Chicken Stock
- 1 tbsp Ginger, finely chopped
- 4 oz Chicken Breast, thinly sliced or pork
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch, 1 tbsp for chicken + 1 tbsp for slurry
- 4 tbsp Low Sodium Soy Sauce, 1 tbsp for chicken + 3 tbsp for soup
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar, increase for more sour taste
- 1½ tbsp Ground White Pepper, start with a lesser amount then increase for the more hot taste
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 3 tbsp Scallions, chopped
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- Chili Sauce or Chili Oil, for serving or topping
Instructions
To make Hot and Sour Soup
- In a bowl, mix thinly sliced chicken breast, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside. This basic marinade will give your chicken some extra flavor. Alternatively, you can use pork meat for a more authentic taste
- In another bowl, beat 2 eggs and set them aside
- In a wide pot or pan over medium heat, pour 6 cups of chicken stock add finely chopped ginger and bring them to a warm temperature
- Add the marinated chicken to the pot and stir gently
- Next, add the shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, as well as soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, chili flakes, and brown sugar. Allow the mixture to boil for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the spiced tofu, and extra firm tofu, to the pot and stir well. Allow the mixture to boil for an additional 7-10 minutes
- Thicken the soup by adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch diluted in 3-4 tablespoons of water, cooking until the desired soupy consistency is reached
- Slowly add the beaten eggs to the soup, stirring to create a ribbon structure
- Finally, add the ground white pepper, chopped scallion, and toasted sesame oil, and stir gently. Remove the soup from the heat and enjoy
To Serve
- Serve this comforting Hot and Sour Soup topped with chili sauce or chili oil for an extra spicy kick. Enjoy it alongside favorite Chinese recipes such as fried rice, chicken fried rice, Szechuan chicken, kung pao chicken, and honey garlic shrimp. Alternatively, pair it with other Asian takeouts like pad thai and teriyaki chicken for a satisfying meal.
Video
Notes
- Dried vs Fresh Mushroom - When it comes to the type of mushrooms to use in this recipe, you can choose between dried or fresh. I prefer fresh shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, but if you decide to use dried mushrooms, be sure to soak them in hot water until they become soft. This will make it easier to slice them. It's worth noting that wood ear mushrooms may also be labeled as "dried black fungus," so don't be confused if you see this on the label
- Pork Meat - In traditional Chinese Hot and Sour Soup, pork is often used, but I've chosen to use chicken in this recipe. Feel free to use pork if that's your preference.
- Adjust the hot and sour taste - If you want to adjust the level of heat in the soup, feel free to increase the amount of ground white pepper. For a more sour taste, consider adding more vinegar to the recipe.
- Vegetarian version - To make a vegetarian version of Hot and Sour Soup, omit the chicken and egg. Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock. This will create a plant-based version of the dish that is still delicious
Nutrition
FAQ
Hot and Sour Soup is a classic Chinese dish that combines the flavors of heat and sourness, making it perfect for warming up on cold winter days. It typically includes ingredients such as shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chicken stock, chicken or pork meat, tofu, vinegar, white pepper powder, and basic Chinese sauces. This tasty soup is a must-try for anyone looking for a hearty and comforting meal.
Yes, it is a healthy soup made with fresh ingredients and protein, making it a hearty and filling meal. However, it is important to note that the specific nutritional content of the soup will depend on the ingredients and ratios used, as well as any extra seasonings or oils added.
The black thing in the soup is a wood ear mushroom, also known as a black fungus. This is an authentic ingredient used in Chinese Hot and Sour Soup and provides an earthy flavor to the dish.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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