Hot and Sour Soup Recipe Authentic
Savor the bold flavors of this hot and sour soup recipe authentic, a quick Hot and Sour Soup that blends spicy, tangy broth with tender mushrooms, silky egg ribbons, and soft tofu. Ready in just 15 minutes, this chinese hot and sour soup is a perfect appetizer or light meal for Independence Day celebrations or cozy summer evenings. Its vibrant Sichuan-inspired taste brings restaurant-quality comfort to your kitchen with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 tsp fresh ginger minced (or 1½ tsp dried)
- 8 oz mushrooms cremini, shiitake, or white, sliced
- 5 dried wood ear mushrooms soaked and thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha
- 1½ tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp white pepper or black pepper
- 8 oz bamboo shoots sliced
- 8 oz firm tofu cubed
- 4 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 4 tbsp water
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 3 green onions sliced (for garnish)
- Crispy chow mein noodles for garnish
Instructions
- Build the Broth: In a large soup pot, combine 8 cups broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, 4 tbsp rice vinegar, 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 3 tsp fresh ginger, 1½ tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp white pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add Mushrooms, Tofu, and Bamboo Shoots: Stir in 5 soaked and sliced wood ear mushrooms, 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms, 8 oz bamboo shoots, and 8 oz cubed tofu. Cook for 5 minutes until the mushrooms soften and the tofu is warmed through.
- Thicken the Broth: Mix 4 tbsp cornstarch with 4 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth. Gradually pour the slurry into the soup while stirring. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the broth thickens slightly.
- Form Egg Ribbons: Gently stir the soup in a slow, circular motion. Slowly pour the 2 whisked eggs in a thin stream to create delicate ribbons. Stop stirring and let the eggs set for 1 minute.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust the heat with additional chili garlic sauce (1 tsp at a time). Stir in 3 sliced green onions and top with crispy chow mein noodles, if using. Serve hot and savor the flavors!
Notes
- Master Egg Ribbons: Pour eggs slowly while stirring gently in one direction for perfect, silky strands.
- Deepen the Flavor: Simmer the broth a few extra minutes to enhance the taste.
- Spice Control: Add chili garlic sauce incrementally to match your heat tolerance.
- Mushroom Choices: Cremini or shiitake add depth; wood ear mushrooms are optional for traditional texture.
- Tofu Tip: Firm tofu holds its shape best—cut into small, bite-sized cubes.