Hot And Sour Chinese Soup
A vibrant hot and sour Chinese soup with earthy mushrooms, tender pork, and tangy lemon, perfect for warming up and satisfying your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 4 dried Chinese mushrooms
- 3 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup drained bamboo shoots ⓘ
- 1/4 pound lean pork ⓘ
- 1 small cake bean curd ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons cold water ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil ⓘ
- 1 green onion ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak dried mushrooms in boiling water in a small bowl for 15 minutes. Drain, discard stems, and slice caps.
- Combine chicken broth, soy sauce, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and pork in a medium pan. Bring to a boil.
- Lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Add bean curd, lemon juice, and white pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Mix cold water and cornstarch to make a slurry. Slowly add to the soup, stirring constantly to thicken.
- Stir in beaten egg and sesame oil. Garnish with chopped green onion before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of rice vinegar along with the lemon juice. If you can't find dried Chinese mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms make a great substitute. For a vegetarian version, replace the pork with extra mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. It pairs wonderfully with steamed dumplings or a side of fried rice, like Brown Rice Main Dish, to create a more filling meal. For a lighter option, enjoy it alongside a simple salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to loosen the soup and heat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Avoid boiling to maintain the texture of the ingredients.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hot And Sour Chinese Soup contains roughly 993 calories, with 22g protein, 167g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (44% of the Daily Value), calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and iron (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2474mg per serving (108% 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. Just store it in the refrigerator after it cools down. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stove, adding a bit of water if it has thickened too much.
Is it possible to make this soup spicier?
Absolutely! To add some heat, include sliced fresh chili peppers or a dash of chili oil when cooking the soup. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference for the perfect kick!
What can I use instead of pork?
If you're looking for a substitute for pork, try shredded chicken or tofu for a vegetarian option. Both will absorb the flavors of the broth well and maintain the soup's hearty texture.
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).