Hot and Sour Soup
酸辣汤
A bold, warming soup that balances fiery heat with tangy vinegar — loaded with tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and silky egg ribbons.
📋 Ingredients
What Is Hot and Sour Soup?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣汤, suān là tāng) is a classic Chinese soup that perfectly balances peppery heat with sharp vinegar tang. Rich with mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots, it's a beloved starter at Chinese restaurants worldwide.
📝 Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Slice pork (if using), tofu, bamboo shoots, and rehydrated wood ear mushrooms into thin matchsticks. This uniform size ensures even cooking and elegant presentation.
Build the Broth
Bring chicken stock to a simmer. Add soy sauce, white pepper, and the prepared ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes until flavors meld.
Season
Add black vinegar and more white pepper — the key is balancing hot and sour. Taste and adjust. The soup should make your nose tingle.
Thicken and Egg
Drizzle in cornstarch slurry while stirring. Once thickened, slowly pour beaten eggs in a thin stream while gently stirring — this creates silky egg ribbons.
Finish
Add sesame oil and chopped scallions. Serve piping hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡White pepper, not black — white pepper provides the signature "hot" that's different from chili heat.
- 💡Add vinegar last — it loses its sharpness if boiled too long.
- 💡Egg ribbon technique — pour from a height in a thin, steady stream while stirring gently.
