This comforting bowl of Hot-and-Sour Soup bursts with bold flavors—zesty vinegar, savory soy, and a fiery kick of white pepper. Loaded with mushrooms, tofu, and crunchy vegetables, it’s the perfect vegetarian takeout-style soup to warm you up.
🍴 Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup bamboo shoots, julienned
- 1 cup firm tofu, cut into thin strips
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (optional for egg ribbons)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt, to taste
🔥 Instructions
Simmer the Base: In a large saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a gentle boil. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots, and tofu. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Flavor the Broth: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and white pepper. Taste and adjust salt or heat as needed.
Thicken the Soup: Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until the soup slightly thickens, about 2 minutes.
Optional Egg Ribbons: Slowly drizzle the beaten egg into the soup while stirring gently to create silky ribbons.
Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil and top with green onions. Serve hot and steamy with a side of crispy wontons or steamed rice.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Hot-and-Sour Soup
- 🍜 Deep Soup Pot — Ideal for simmering soups evenly without scorching.
- 🍄 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms — Adds a rich, umami boost when fresh isn’t available.
- 🥄 Chili Garlic Sauce — Bring the heat with just the right amount of tang.
- 🥢 Tofu Press — Perfectly firms tofu for clean, even slices.
- 🥬 Julienne Peeler — Get restaurant-style veggie strips in seconds.
💡 Helpful Tip: If you want a more authentic depth of flavor, swap in a dash of dark soy sauce or add a splash of black vinegar for extra complexity.
Leave a Reply