Description
Warm, tangy, spicy, and deeply comforting, Classic Hot and Sour Soup is the ultimate quick dinner idea when you’re craving something bold yet easy to prepare. Packed with tender tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables in a peppery vinegar-spiked broth, it’s one of the best healthy snack options or dinner ideas you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a cozy meal or Asian-inspired comfort food, this easy recipe is a flavor-packed winner you’ll come back to again and again.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 cup firm tofu, cubed
1/2 cup wood ear mushrooms, sliced (rehydrated if dried)
1/2 cup bamboo shoots, julienned
1/4 cup carrots, diced
1/4 cup green peas (optional)
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili oil or chili paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
2 teaspoons sesame oil
Salt to taste
Instructions
1. Cube tofu, slice mushrooms and bamboo shoots, dice carrots, and mince garlic and ginger. Beat the eggs in a small bowl and set aside. Mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry.
2. In a large soup pot over medium heat, sauté garlic and ginger in sesame oil for 30 seconds. Add broth and water and bring to a boil.
3. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots, and tofu. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add green peas if using.
4. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring to thicken the soup. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
6. Drizzle beaten eggs into the soup while stirring gently to form silky ribbons. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
7. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil. Taste and adjust salt, spice, or sourness if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
1. Always add the cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring to avoid lumps and get the perfect thickness.
2. Use firm tofu instead of silken tofu to prevent it from breaking apart in the soup.
3. To enhance the flavor, drizzle sesame oil at the very end right before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg