Sizzling Hot And Sour Soup(Makes 4 To 6 Servings)
A fiery, tangy hot and sour soup with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and chicken, perfect for warming up and satisfying cravings with bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 dried black mushrooms ⓘ
- 5 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 chicken breast, skinned, boned and cut into matchstick pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 cup slivered bamboo shoots
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 green onion (including top), cut into 2 inch slivers ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro (Chinese parsley) ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/4 cup water ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak dried black mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain, remove stems, and thinly slice the caps.
- Bring chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken breast, and stir for 3 minutes until partially cooked.
- Stir in mushrooms, bamboo shoots, rice vinegar, soy sauce, green onion, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, salt, and white pepper.
- Return to a boil, then add the cornstarch mixed with water.
- Stir until the soup thickens.
- Remove from heat, then slowly drizzle in the beaten egg, stirring constantly to create egg ribbons.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of sesame oil or using homemade chicken broth. If you can't find dried black mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms can be a good substitute. Adjust the heat by modifying the amount of hot pepper sauce to suit your taste. To enhance the texture, try adding some finely chopped firm tofu or shredded carrots.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the hot and sour soup in individual bowls garnished with additional green onions and cilantro for a fresh finish. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or Chinese dumplings for a complete meal. This dish also makes a wonderful starter before enjoying main courses like Chinese Chicken Wings And Drumettes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid curdling the egg ribbons. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sizzling Hot And Sour Soup(Makes 4 To 6 Servings) contains roughly 394 calories, with 16g protein, 75g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (312% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (109% of the Daily Value), and iron (70% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily convert this soup to a vegetarian version by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omitting the chicken. You could add extra mushrooms and tofu for protein, while maintaining the flavor with soy sauce and rice vinegar.
What can I use if I don't have cornstarch?
If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the quantity slightly, as these thickeners can behave differently. Mix them with water before adding to the soup to ensure a smooth consistency.
How can I adjust the soup's spiciness?
To adjust the spiciness of the soup, you can start with a smaller amount of hot pepper sauce and gradually add more to taste. Alternatively, if the soup becomes too spicy, you can balance it with a bit more sugar or vinegar to mellow the heat without altering the overall 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).