Hot and Sour Soup

This Hot and Sour Soup brings the perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors, making it a comforting choice for any meal. The combination of tender tofu, earthy mushrooms, and silky egg ribbons creates a hearty and satisfying dish that’s both nourishing and flavorful.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting bowl to enjoy on a chilly evening, this soup delivers on taste and warmth. The blend of vinegars and chili sauce adds depth, while the mushrooms and tofu provide texture and substance, making each spoonful a delightful experience.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (for a vegetarian version)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon garlic chili sauce (or sriracha)

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• ½ teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup water (for thickening)

• ½ cup dried wood ear mushrooms, rehydrated and thinly sliced

• 1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced (or white mushrooms)

• 1 cup firm tofu, cubed

• 1 large egg, whisked

• ¼ cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, combine the chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, garlic chili sauce, minced ginger, and sesame oil. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and let it simmer for 6–8 minutes to meld the flavors.

2. Add the rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, sliced cremini mushrooms, and cubed tofu to the pot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to become tender.

3. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with ¼ cup water until smooth. Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering soup while stirring continuously. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.

4. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour the whisked egg into the soup in a thin stream while stirring gently in a circular motion. Allow the egg to cook for about 1 minute, forming silky ribbons.

5. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a spicier kick, add more garlic chili sauce or sriracha to taste.

6. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 150 kcal per serving
Servings: 4 servings

Origins and Cultural Significance

Hot and Sour Soup is a quintessential dish in Chinese cuisine, renowned for its bold, contrasting flavors that strike the perfect balance between spicy and tangy. Originating from northern China, particularly in Sichuan and Beijing cuisine, this soup has evolved into numerous variations across Asia, including Thai and Vietnamese renditions. Each regional version showcases a different balance of heat and acidity, and often incorporates local ingredients to highlight native flavor profiles.

In Chinese culinary tradition, food is more than just sustenance—it’s medicinal. The “hot” aspect, often derived from white or black pepper or chili paste, is believed to aid circulation and stimulate digestion, while the “sour” element, typically from vinegar, is thought to help detoxify the body and awaken the appetite. This makes Hot and Sour Soup not only delicious but also a holistic wellness booster in Chinese herbal cooking philosophy.

What Makes Hot and Sour Soup Unique?

The hallmark of Hot and Sour Soup lies in its unmistakable flavor profile: it’s fiery from the spices, sour from the vinegar, and richly savory from the broth and mushrooms. Unlike Western soups that may lean heavily on dairy or cream-based consistency, this Chinese staple uses a cornstarch slurry to thicken the broth slightly without overpowering the flavor. The result is a velvety texture that coats the palate while letting the punchy notes of ginger, soy, and chili shine through.

Texture also plays a central role. Traditional Hot and Sour Soup includes ingredients like tofu, which offers a soft, pillowy contrast to the chewy wood ear mushrooms, while ribbons of egg add a silky finish. Green onions offer a bit of crunch and freshness, rounding out a mouthfeel that’s both layered and satisfying.

A Soup for All Seasons

Though it’s often enjoyed in colder months as a warming comfort dish, Hot and Sour Soup is actually enjoyed year-round in many Chinese households. Its light yet complex nature makes it ideal as an appetizer before a hearty meal or as a standalone dish when you’re craving something nourishing and restorative.

It also pairs beautifully with other Chinese staples such as spring rolls, steamed dumplings, stir-fried vegetables, or fried rice. Whether it’s part of a multi-course feast or the star of the table, this soup is endlessly adaptable to different culinary contexts.

Nutritional Benefits

Hot and Sour Soup is more than just flavorful—it’s a nutrient-rich option that caters to various dietary needs. Tofu provides a solid source of plant-based protein, making it excellent for vegetarians and those reducing meat intake. Mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger and vinegar support digestion and detoxification.

For those watching their calorie intake, Hot and Sour Soup is typically low in calories yet high in flavor, making it a satisfying option for those on a weight-conscious or clean-eating diet. It’s also easy to modify to fit gluten-free or vegan diets by using tamari instead of soy sauce and opting for a vegetable broth base.

Homemade vs. Restaurant Versions

While Hot and Sour Soup is a staple on the menu of nearly every Chinese restaurant, making it at home offers several advantages. For starters, you have full control over the level of spice and sourness—something that can vary dramatically from restaurant to restaurant. Homemade versions also allow you to tweak ingredients to suit personal preferences or dietary restrictions, whether that means reducing the sodium, increasing the protein content, or adding extra vegetables.

Additionally, when you prepare this soup from scratch, you eliminate preservatives and MSG that may be found in restaurant or store-bought versions. Plus, making it yourself means you can enjoy it fresh, which enhances the depth of flavor and overall experience.

Global Influence and Modern Variations

Hot and Sour Soup has traveled well beyond the borders of China and found its way into global kitchens. In Thailand, a version called Tom Yum incorporates lemongrass and fish sauce to give it a Southeast Asian twist. In the U.S. and Europe, chefs often experiment with ingredients like shrimp, bamboo shoots, or bell peppers to localize the dish for broader palates.

There are even fusion takes on the soup that blend Western ingredients like kale or quinoa for added nutrition or texture. Regardless of where it’s made, the core idea remains the same: to balance heat and tang in a warming broth that both comforts and invigorates.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

While the ingredient list is flexible, there are a few key tips that will elevate any Hot and Sour Soup:

• Use high-quality broth. Whether chicken or vegetable, your broth forms the base and contributes significantly to flavor.

• Don’t overcook the egg. Drizzle it in slowly and stir gently for perfect, silky strands.

• Balance is everything. Start with small amounts of vinegar and chili, and adjust to your taste. The soup should wake up your palate, not overwhelm it.

• Use dried mushrooms. If possible, opt for dried wood ear mushrooms and rehydrate them yourself. They offer a unique texture and earthy depth that fresh mushrooms can’t quite replicate.

• Stir cornstarch separately. Always mix your cornstarch slurry well before adding to the soup to avoid clumps.

A Dish Rooted in Tradition, Perfected at Home

Despite its rich cultural roots, Hot and Sour Soup is incredibly approachable for home cooks. It requires minimal prep time, readily available ingredients, and delivers maximum flavor with just a few simple steps. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or a seasoned pro, this dish is a rewarding experience that brings the comforts of a traditional Asian kitchen into your home.

Conclusion

Hot and Sour Soup is much more than a side dish or appetizer—it’s a tradition, a remedy, and a deeply satisfying bowl of comfort. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a nutritious and flavorful meal that suits almost any dietary preference and delivers a punch of umami in every spoonful.

From its medicinal roots in traditional Chinese cooking to its place in modern wellness diets, this dish has earned its timeless appeal. If you’re looking to explore Asian cuisine, try a new weeknight dinner, or simply warm up with something vibrant and soothing, Hot and Sour Soup is an easy, affordable, and delicious place to start.

Its power lies not just in the ingredients but in the experience: the bold aroma rising from the bowl, the warmth that spreads with each sip, and the comfort it brings, bite after bite.