Oh, my dears, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of hot and sour soup to warm you from the inside out on a chilly evening. The delicate balance of tangy vinegar, fiery pepper, and savory broth creates a symphony of flavors that truly dances on your tongue. It’s a comforting hug in a bowl, a truly magical treat that feels both classic and wonderfully homemade.
I remember my grandmother, with her gentle hands, often whipping up simple yet incredibly satisfying meals after a long day. While her specialty was always the sweetest cookies, the idea of creating something so flavorful and comforting from humble ingredients always fascinated me. It reminds me of those cherished kitchen moments, where love was the secret ingredient.
This particular authentic soup recipe is not only incredibly straightforward to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner, but it’s also wonderfully adaptable for the whole family. It’s a fantastic way to bring warmth and joy to your table. My top tip for any soup is to always taste as you go; your palate is your best guide!
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Crafting this delightful soup starts with a few key players. From the rich broth to the tangy vinegar and the subtle heat of white pepper, each ingredient plays a vital role in creating that signature flavor we adore. You’ll find the full list of ingredients and precise measurements ready for you in the recipe card below.
How to Make hot and sour soup
Making this authentic soup is a journey of simple steps leading to incredible flavor. You’ll begin by preparing your ingredients, from slicing the pork or chicken to soaking the mushrooms and tofu. Then, it’s a quick cook on the stovetop, allowing the broth to meld with the distinct spices before thickening to a perfect consistency, ready to be enjoyed.
Authentic Hot & Sour Soup (Suan La Tang)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using dried wood ear mushrooms, place them in a bowl with hot water and rehydrate for 20-30 minutes until soft. Drain, rinse, remove any hard stems, and thinly slice.
- Prepare all other ingredients: cube tofu, julienne bamboo shoots, and thinly shred pork or chicken (if using). Beat the eggs in a small bowl and set aside.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until no lumps remain. This is your cornstarch slurry; set aside.
- Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into a large pot or Dutch oven and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce (if using), rice vinegar, white pepper, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
- Add the shredded pork or chicken (if using), rehydrated mushrooms, and julienned bamboo shoots to the simmering broth. Cook for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the meat is cooked through if applicable.
- Add the cubed tofu to the pot and gently stir. Allow the soup to return to a gentle simmer.
- Give the cornstarch slurry a quick re-whisk, then slowly pour it into the simmering soup in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the soup thickens to your desired consistency. It should be slightly viscous.
- Once thickened, slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the soup in a thin stream while gently stirring in one direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise). This will create delicate egg ribbons. Stop stirring once all the egg is added and cook for about 30 seconds to set the egg.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the sesame oil and chili oil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more vinegar for tang, white pepper for heat, or soy sauce for saltiness.
- Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls. Garnish generously with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Pro Tips for Making This hot and sour soup
To truly elevate your hot and sour soup, I’ve gathered a few nuggets of wisdom from my own kitchen adventures:
Don’t Skimp on the Vinegar and Pepper: These are the heart and soul of a true hot and sour soup. Adjust them gradually to your personal taste, adding a little more at the end if you desire a bolder kick or tang. I always recommend tasting, tasting, tasting!
Prep Ahead: With a prep time of 25 minutes, having all your ingredients chopped and measured before you even turn on the stove makes the cooking process of this authentic soup seamless and enjoyable.
My Secret Trick: When adding the cornstarch slurry, always ensure your soup is at a gentle simmer, and pour it in slowly while stirring constantly. This prevents lumps and gives you that perfectly silky texture every time.
Fresh is Best for Garnishes: A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil or chili oil just before serving truly brightens the flavors and adds a wonderful aroma to your homemade soup.
Fun Variations for hot and sour soup
One of the most delightful things about cooking at home is making a recipe truly your own! This soup is wonderfully versatile.
Vegetarian Twist: Easily make this a vegetarian hot and sour soup by using vegetable broth instead of chicken, and omitting the pork or chicken. You can even add extra mushrooms or thinly sliced carrots for more texture. My dear friend, who is a vegetarian, absolutely adores this modification!
Spice Level Adventure: If you love a serious kick, feel free to increase the white pepper and chili oil. For those who prefer a milder soup, reduce the chili oil or add a touch more sugar to balance the heat. It’s all about finding your perfect balance.
Protein Power-Up: While pork loin or chicken breast are traditional, you could also try adding shrimp towards the end of cooking for a delightful seafood soup. Just remember shrimp cooks very quickly!
What to Serve With hot and sour soup
This comforting soup is often a meal in itself, but sometimes a little something extra just completes the experience!
I love serving a bowl of warm, steaming hot and sour soup alongside a simple bowl of jasmine rice; it’s wonderful for soaking up all those delicious flavors. For a slightly heartier meal, a side of crispy spring rolls or a light cucumber salad makes for a fantastic accompaniment. My mom always said a little something crunchy balances out a comforting soup perfectly, and I completely agree!
How to Store hot and sour soup
Keeping your delicious hot and sour soup fresh for later is easy!
Fridge Storage
Once cooled completely, transfer your leftover soup to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delightful the next day!
Reheating Tips
To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through. If it’s become a bit too thick, you can add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency. My personal tip: a fresh sprinkle of green onions and a tiny drizzle of sesame oil after reheating makes it taste just like freshly made soup.
Nutritional Benefits
While our authentic soup is a wonderfully comforting treat, it also offers some nourishing benefits. With lean protein from pork or chicken, plus various vitamins from the wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots, it’s a satisfying and flavorful soup that combines indulgence with simple, wholesome ingredients.
FAQs
Faq 1
Can I make this hot and sour soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the pork or chicken. You can add extra tofu, mushrooms, or other vegetables like shredded carrots for a delicious vegetarian hot and sour soup.
Faq 2
What kind of tofu should I use?
For this recipe, firm or silken tofu works best. Firm tofu holds its shape well, while silken tofu will give a wonderfully creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Choose based on your preference for the soup.
Faq 3
My soup isn’t sour enough. What should I do?
Don’t worry, dear! The beauty of homemade hot and sour soup is you can adjust it. Simply add a little more rice vinegar, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired level of tanginess. Taste after each addition!
Faq 4
How can I make the soup spicier?
If you crave more heat in your hot and sour soup, increase the amount of white pepper and chili oil. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes during cooking or as a garnish for an extra fiery kick.
Conclusion
And there you have it, my sweet friends, an authentic hot and sour soup recipe ready to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen. It’s a dish that proves how simple ingredients, combined with a little love and patience, can create truly magical treats and comforting meals. I hope this comforting soup inspires you to gather your loved ones around the table, savoring each spoonful and creating beautiful new memories together. Happy cooking!