Description
This Chinese Style Hot and Sour Soup is a comforting, bold-flavored Asian soup with tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and egg ribbons simmered in a tangy, spicy broth. A quick homemade takeout favorite, rich in umami and easy to customize. Perfect for soup lovers and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup bamboo shoots, julienned
1 cup firm tofu, cubed
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon white pepper (more to taste)
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare all your ingredients: slice mushrooms and bamboo shoots, cube the tofu, beat the eggs, and make the cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water.
2. In a large pot over medium heat, bring the broth to a gentle simmer.
3. Add the mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots to the broth and let them simmer for 4–5 minutes to infuse flavor.
4. Stir in the soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, and white pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
5. Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring to thicken the soup.
6. With the soup still gently simmering, slowly drizzle in the beaten eggs in a circular motion while stirring. Delicate egg ribbons will form.
7. Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
8. Serve hot, optionally garnished with green onions or an extra sprinkle of white pepper.
Notes
Use Chinese black vinegar for authentic tang, but rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch.
Add more white pepper if you like your soup spicier — it’s aromatic rather than hot.
To make it vegetarian, ensure you use vegetable broth and skip any meat additions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg