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Easy Restaurant-Style Hot and Sour Soup

A close-up bowl of rich, dark brown hot and sour soup recipe, featuring ribbons of egg, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu.
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Make authentic, flavorful hot and sour soup at home quickly. This recipe balances spicy heat with tangy vinegar for a takeout-quality experience.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots
  • 4 ounces firm tofu, cut into small strips
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (for color)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili oil (or more to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water (slurry)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine the vegetable broth, rehydrated mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, chili oil, garlic, and ginger in a large pot.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Stir the cornstarch slurry well and slowly pour it into the simmering soup while stirring constantly until the soup thickens slightly.
  4. Slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the soup in a thin stream while stirring gently in one direction to create thin ribbons. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the rice vinegar. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning, adding more vinegar for tang or chili oil for heat if desired.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced scallions before serving hot.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the eggs, or substitute with silken tofu blended with a little water for creaminess.
  • Adjust the ratio of rice vinegar to chili oil to control the final balance of sour and spicy.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, increase the cornstarch slurry slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/hot-and-sour-soup-recipe/