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Authentic Chinese Hot and Sour Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort Recipe

4.7 from 70 reviews

This Authentic Chinese Hot and Sour Soup offers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors, delivering cozy comfort in every spoonful. Made with a flavorful broth, tender mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, and eggs, this soup is a classic Chinese favorite ideal for warming up on chilly days or as a delicious starter for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 4 cups Chicken Broth (Substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
  • 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons Black Vinegar (Substitute with rice vinegar for a milder flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon White Pepper (Adjust according to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Paste or Dried Chili (Adjust for desired heat)
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil (Essential for authentic taste)

Vegetables & Tofu

  • 1 cup Shiitake Mushrooms (Substitute with cremini or button mushrooms if shiitakes are unavailable)
  • 1 cup Bamboo Shoots (Use water chestnuts as an alternative)
  • 1 block Tofu (Firm or silken tofu works well)
  • 2 stalks Green Onions (For garnish)

Thickening & Eggs

  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch (Used to thicken the soup)
  • 2 large Eggs (Whisked and drizzled into the soup)

Instructions

  1. Heat the Broth: Pour the chicken broth into a large pot and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches a rolling boil.
  2. Add Mushrooms and Bamboo Shoots: Add sliced shiitake mushrooms and julienned bamboo shoots to the boiling broth and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  3. Season the Soup: Stir in soy sauce, black vinegar, white pepper, and chili paste, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to your preference for the perfect blend of hot and sour flavors.
  4. Thicken the Soup: Prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water, then slowly stir it into the soup to thicken the broth evenly.
  5. Add Beaten Eggs: Lower the heat to prevent boiling, then slowly drizzle in the whisked eggs while stirring continuously to create delicate egg ribbons throughout the soup.
  6. Include Tofu and Simmer: Add tofu cut into strips and allow the soup to simmer gently for an additional 2 minutes to warm through and meld flavors.
  7. Finish and Garnish: Remove the soup from heat, drizzle with sesame oil for authentic aroma, and sprinkle freshly sliced green onions on top before serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Substitute tamari soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Adjust the amount of chili paste or dried chili to control the heat level.
  • Use silken tofu for a softer texture or firm tofu if you prefer it more structured.
  • Ensure to slowly drizzle eggs while stirring to avoid large clumps and create smooth ribbons.
  • Black vinegar adds the characteristic tang; rice vinegar can be used for a milder taste.

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