Tangy, glossy broth filled with ingredients of diverse flavours and textures, hot and sour soup is hearty, comforting and delectable. Learn to make it the authentic Chinese way. Show
One of the most ordered dishes in Chinese restaurants and takeaways outside China, hot and sour soup (Suan La Tang, 酸辣汤) has gained popularity across the globe. I’ve tasted many versions over the years. Some reminded me of the taste of home while others were largely modified. I’d like to share a recipe that reflects how my dad, like many Chinese home cooks, prepare this classic dish. What makes a bowl of hot and sour soup stand out? Here are my criteria:
A Substantial Soup with Many IngredientsThere is a lot going on in this simple soup. Apart from seasoning condiments and a thickening agent, authentic hot and sour soup calls for eight ingredients: three types of protein, three dried ingredients and two vegetables. They provide different flavours, textures and nutrition, making this dish sophisticated and substantial. Quite a bit of knife work is involved when preparing these ingredients. You’ll need to slice everything (apart from the egg) into thin strips. Not only does the uniformed size make the dish aesthetically pleasing, it also ensures that everything is cooked in a short period of time. Three proteins
Three dried ingredientsShiitake mushroom, wood ear mushroom and lily buds are common items in a typical Chinese pantry. They all come in dried form thus requiring rehydration before cooking. Simply soak them in water until they expand and become soft. I always do this overnight. If you forget to prepare them in advance, use hot water to speed up the process (You’d still need at least one hour). It’s best to use all three ingredients to produce authentic, restaurant standard hot and sour soup. Speaking of their importance to the dish, I’d list them in this sequence: shiitake, wood ear, lily buds.
🛎 Tips: These dried ingredients can be found in dry good sections in Chinese/Asian stores, as well as major online shopping platforms, e.g. Amazon. For other ways to use them, here are a few classic recipes: Moo Shu Pork, Steamed Chicken with Shiitake Mushroom, Wood Ear Salad, etc. You may also include them in Dumpling Fillings. Two vegetablesCarrot and bamboo shoots add a bit of colour and crunchiness to the soup. The latter can be purchased in cans and sometimes they’re already julienned saving you some chopping work. How to produce the hot and sour tasteNeedless to say, hot and sour flavour is the selling point of this classic soup. Tangy and warming, it does a brilliant job at awaking all your taste buds! To season, you’ll need four common condiments: black rice vinegar, ground white pepper, soy sauce and sesame oil (Cornstarch is required for thickening the soup). Hot: White PepperI’ve introduced quite a few recipes that feature the classic “hot and sour” flavour combination, such as Hot and Sour Glass Noodle Soup from Sichuan cuisine, Hot and Sour Dumpling Soup from Xi’an and Hot and Sour Napa cabbage that’s popular across northern China. What makes hot and sour soup different from these dishes is that it calls for white pepper, instead of chili oil or dried chili, for creating the hot sensation. Sour: Black Rice VinegarChinese rice vinegar contributes to the sour taste. I personally prefer the black version to the white one as it offers a much more aromatic, palatable taste. Zhenjiang (Chinkiang) vinegar (镇江香醋) is a reputable variety that’s widely available outside China. It may look like balsamic vinegar but it tastes very different. So I wouldn’t recommend balsamic to be a substitute (you may find such suggestions online). The amount of white pepper and vinegar suggested in my recipe is what works best for me (I adore bold flavours). Please feel free to adjust it if you like a milder taste. 🛎 Tip: To get the pungent hot and sour taste, make sure you add the seasonings right before serving as prolonged heating reduces the intensity of the flavour. The Cooking procedureOnce you’ve got all the ingredients at hand, the cooking part is easy! Here is how to proceed:
🛎 Tip: When adding either the cornstarch slurry or the beaten egg into the soup, pour it in a thin stream in a circular motion. This way you can avoid it clumping up. Other tasty soup dishesLooking for more comforting soup recipes, check out these classics:
Hot and Sour Soup, the Authentic Way (酸辣汤)Tangy, glossy broth filled with ingredients of diverse flavours and textures, hot and sour soup is hearty, comforting and delectable. Learn to make it the authentic Chinese way. Author: Wei Guo Print Pin RateCourse: Soup Cuisine: Chinese Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 10 minutes Soak: 1 hour Total: 1 hour 20 minutes Servings: 6 servings IngredientsFor the dried ingredients
For the pork
Other ingredients
For the soup base
For the seasoning
5 Secrets of Authentic Chinese CookingGet the guide for FREE InstructionsRehydrate the dried ingredients
Marinate the pork
Prepare other ingredients
Cook the soup
Season the soup
NOTES1. You may use chicken breast to replace pork. To make the dish vegetarian, simply skip the meat.2. If you‘re not going to serve the soup straightaway, leave out the seasonings and add them when the soup is reheated and to be served immediately. This is to ensure the ultimate tangy flavour from black rice vinegar and white pepper. NUTRITIONServing: 1 serving | Calories: 116 kcal Cooked this recipe?Show me your dish or ask me questions @red.house.spice NUTRITION DISCLOSURE: Nutritional information on this website is provided as a courtesy to readers. It should be considered estimates. Please use your own brand nutritional values or your preferred nutrition calculator to double check against our estimates. What does hot and sour soup taste like?Hot and Sour soup is a Chinese soup that's savoury, spicy and tangy. The broth is thickened and it's filled with mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots and silky egg ribbons. The flavour and textures in this soup are an addictive combination, making it a firm Chinese restaurant favourite!
What's hot and sour soup made of?Hot and Sour Soup is the PERFECT combo of spicy and savory, made with pork, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, and eggs in a savory seasoned broth with soy sauce and vinegar.
Is hot and sour soup authentic?Hot and sour soup is a classic Chinese dish that can be made and enjoyed at home. Due to modern-day culinary liberties taken at restaurants, sometimes it's best to follow a traditional recipe from the luxury of your own kitchen.
What do you serve with hot and sour soup?WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOT AND SOUR SOUP?. Pineapple Cream Cheese Wontons.. Crab Rangoon.. Pork Egg Rolls, Sesame Chicken Egg Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls.. Chinese Chicken Wings or Korean Chicken Wings.. Potstickers.. Chicken Lettuce Wraps.. Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce.. Korean Meatballs.. |