Chinese Meatball Soup
A comforting Chinese meatball soup featuring tender pork meatballs, crunchy water chestnuts, and flavorful broth, perfect for warming up and enjoyed by the whole family.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut won bok into 2-inch slices.
- Combine ground pork, chopped green onion, beaten egg, grated ginger, pressed garlic, minced water chestnuts, sherry, and 2 teaspoons salt in a bowl.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat the chicken broth in a large pot.
- Gently add the meatballs to the hot broth and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Add the won bok slices, mushrooms, and additional salt to taste, then simmer for 5 more minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter meatball, consider using ground turkey instead of pork. If you can't find won bok, napa cabbage makes a great substitute. To enhance the flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil to the broth. Make sure to simmer the meatballs gently to keep them tender. For an added crunch, toss in some sliced mushrooms towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chinese Meatball Soup hot, garnished with additional chopped green onions for freshness. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice or a side of crunchy vegetables. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Pat'S Czech Dumplings to soak up the flavorful broth. A light salad with sesame dressing can also complement the dish nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over low heat, adding a little water or broth if it thickens too much. This soup also freezes well; just thaw and reheat when ready to enjoy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Meatball Soup contains roughly 391 calories, with 26g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1637mg per serving (71% 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 the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance. Simply shape them and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to add them to the broth. This not only saves time but allows the flavors to meld together for a tastier dish.
What can I use instead of water chestnuts?
If you don't have water chestnuts, you can substitute them with diced carrots for crunch or even chopped bell peppers. While they won't have the same flavor, they will still add a nice texture to your meatballs.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the ground pork with a plant-based meat alternative and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra vegetables like tofu or mushrooms to maintain a hearty texture while enhancing the flavor.
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).