Hot and sour soup recipe

Hot and sour soup is a comforting, flavorful, and slightly spicy dish that originates from Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese.

This soup combines the perfect balance of heat from white pepper and tanginess from vinegar, with a hearty mix of vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms.

It’s a popular appetizer in restaurants, but making it at home is surprisingly easy.

With the right ingredients, you can prepare a bowl that’s rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Hot and Sour Soup

Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.

Healthy and filling: Packed with vegetables, protein-rich tofu, and flavorful broth.

Customizable: Adjust the spice, vinegar, or add meat like chicken or pork if you prefer.

Restaurant-style flavor at home: Tastes just as good (if not better) than takeout.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need for a classic hot and sour soup recipe:

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 cup mushrooms (shiitake, button, or wood ear), thinly sliced

• ½ cup firm tofu, cut into thin strips

• 1 medium carrot, julienned

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry for thickening)

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1 teaspoon white pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

• Optional: cooked chicken or pork strips for added protein

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the broth – In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a gentle boil.

Add aromatics – Stir in the garlic and ginger, letting them simmer for 1–2 minutes to release flavor.

Cook the vegetables – Add mushrooms and carrots. Let them simmer until tender (about 5 minutes).

Flavor the soup – Mix in soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and white pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Add tofu – Gently stir in the tofu strips and simmer for another 2–3 minutes.

Thicken the broth – Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring until the soup slightly thickens.

Egg ribbons – Slowly drizzle the beaten egg into the soup while stirring gently in one direction to form thin, silky strands.

Serve – Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve hot.

Tips for the Perfect Hot and Sour Soup

Spice it up: Add chili oil, sriracha, or extra white pepper for more heat.

Make it vegetarian: Use vegetable broth and skip the meat.

Thicker broth: Add more cornstarch slurry if you prefer a heartier texture.

Protein options: Shredded chicken, pork, or shrimp can be added for a non-vegetarian version.

Hot and sour soup recipe

This hot and sour soup recipe is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dish that’s perfect as a starter or light meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: asian, Chinese

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup mushrooms shiitake, button, or wood ear, thinly sliced
• ½ cup firm tofu cut into thin strips
• 1 medium carrot julienned
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water slurry
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon white pepper adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
• 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: cooked chicken or pork strips

Method

 

1. In a large pot, bring broth to a gentle boil.
2. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 1–2 minutes.
3. Add mushrooms and carrots; simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Mix in soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and white pepper.
5. Add tofu and simmer 2–3 minutes.
6. Stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken.
7. Slowly drizzle in beaten egg while stirring in one direction.
8. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.

Notes

• For extra heat, add chili oil or sriracha.
• Use vegetable broth and skip meat for a vegetarian option.
• Add more slurry for a thicker texture.
• Try shredded chicken, pork, or shrimp for added protein.

Serving Suggestions

Hot and sour soup is perfect on its own as a light meal, but it also pairs beautifully with other Asian-inspired dishes such as:

• Fried rice

• Spring rolls

• Stir-fried noodles

• Steamed dumplings