Chinese Hot Sour Soup
A tangy and spicy Chinese Hot Sour Soup with tender pork, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and a flavorful broth, perfect for comforting and savory Asian-inspired meals.
Ingredients
- 4 oz. lean boneless pork ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 4 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can bamboo shoots, drained ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. vinegar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cold water ⓘ
- 1 well-beaten egg ⓘ
- green onion fans ⓘ
Instructions
- Partially freeze the lean boneless pork for easier slicing.
- Slice the pork thinly into bite-sized pieces.
- In a 3-quart saucepan, cook the pork pieces in hot oil until lightly browned.
- Drain and set aside.
- In the same saucepan, bring 4 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the drained bamboo shoots and sliced mushrooms to the broth.
- Stir in vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and white pepper.
- Mix the cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry.
- Add the slurry to the soup and stir until it thickens.
- Slowly pour in the well-beaten egg, stirring gently to create egg ribbons.
- Serve hot, garnished with green onion fans.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding a splash of chili oil or fresh chili peppers to the soup. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the pork with tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For added depth of flavor, you can also include a few drops of sesame oil at the end. This dish can be a great introduction to other Chinese recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the hot sour soup as an appetizer or pair it with steamed rice for a complete meal. It works well alongside dishes like Almond Fried Chicken(Chinese Style) or Chicken And Peanuts for a balanced dinner. Garnish with green onion fans for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, do so on the stove over medium heat, stirring frequently, to maintain the texture of the ingredients. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the egg ribbons rubbery.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Hot Sour Soup contains roughly 599 calories, with 5g protein, 18g carbohydrates, and 58g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2579mg per serving (112% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup a day in advance. However, it's best to add the egg just before serving to keep the texture light and fluffy. Store the soup without the egg, then reheat and stir in the beaten egg just before serving to create those lovely egg ribbons.
What can I substitute for the bamboo shoots?
If you can't find bamboo shoots, sliced water chestnuts or shredded cabbage can work well as alternatives. Both options will add a nice crunch to the soup while keeping with the intended texture. Just remember to adjust cooking times as needed for the substitutes.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make the soup vegetarian, simply replace the pork with firm tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also enhance the flavor with mushrooms and additional vegetables like bell peppers or carrots, making it a hearty vegetarian option.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).