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Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

4.8 from 92 reviews

A classic Hot and Sour Soup recipe that combines a savory and tangy broth with tender tofu, mushrooms, and a rich egg swirl. This comforting soup is flavored with soy sauce, rice vinegar, white pepper, and finished with a touch of sesame oil for an authentic Asian-inspired experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Broth and Seasonings

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Thickening Agent

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (slurry)

Main Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup firm tofu, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or button mushrooms)
  • 1/4 cup bamboo shoots, thinly sliced
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Broth: In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and white pepper, stirring to combine well and develop the base flavor of the soup.
  2. Add Mushrooms and Tofu: Once the broth is simmering, add the sliced mushrooms, diced tofu, and bamboo shoots. Let everything simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the tofu is heated through.
  3. Thicken the Soup: Stir the cornstarch slurry to ensure it’s well combined, then slowly pour it into the simmering broth while stirring continuously. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the broth thickens to a slightly viscous consistency.
  4. Swirl in the Eggs: Reduce the heat to low. Slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the soup in a thin stream while gently stirring with a fork or chopsticks to create delicate egg ribbons throughout the soup.
  5. Finish with Sesame Oil: Remove the soup from heat and stir in the sesame oil for a fragrant finish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more soy sauce or vinegar to balance the hot and sour flavors.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Adjust the amount of vinegar and white pepper to personalize the sourness and heat levels.
  • Optional: add sliced chili peppers or a dash of chili oil for extra spiciness.
  • Serve hot as a starter or a light meal with steamed rice or noodles.
  • Use fresh mushrooms for the best texture and flavor.

Keywords: hot and sour soup, tofu soup, Chinese soup, mushroom soup, easy soup recipe, Asian soup