Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup

Four steps to authentic hot and sour soup! It is very popular in China and Taiwan and now readily available in Chinese restaurants in most countries. This is a quick and easy guide to an authentic Szechuan soup using ingredients you may already have in your pantry.

0 stars

Preparation 10 mins
Cooking 10 mins

Soup

酸辣汤

Chinese

Nyonya Cooking on Facebook
Nyonya Cooking on Pinterest
Nyonya Cooking on Twitter

Nutrition per Serving

140 kcal
8 g
10 g
5 g


Hot and sour soup got its name due to its distinct spiciness and sourness. It usually consists of a meat based broth, mushrooms, tofu and egg. Although you may be able to find it in most Chinese restaurants abroad, tasting a pot of homemade flavourful hot and sour soup at home is much more comforting to the soul. Besides, you can ensure the freshness of the ingredients without the unnecessary additives.

To make this soup easily with the ingredients you may already have in the kitchen, you need to understand that the core ingredients are white pepper and Chinese black vinegar. These ingredients contributes to the hot and sour flavours of the soup. Meanwhile, below are the other tips that contribute to enhancing the taste naturally.

Which type of vinegar to use?

When vinegar is called for in a Chinese recipe, it usually refers to the Chinese black vinegar or also known as Chingkiang/Zhenjiang vinegar, the most popular choice. Compared to regular vinegar, the Chinese version is less tart and has a hint of sweetness. It is almost like a fluid version of Italian balsamic vinegars. The smoky flavour gives the soup its signature taste. You may also use balsamic vinegar or red wine based vinegar as they are the closest substitutes. Otherwise, regular vinegar or other rice-based vinegar will do as well. While these vinegars do not have the special flavour profiles mentioned, they do make decent substitutes.

Meat in hot and sour soup

Pork is used in this recipe as per the authentic dish. You may substitute it with chicken meat. It is important to note that the fats from the meat does make a difference to the dish. Hence, pork belly or pork with fats are highly suggested in this recipe. The oil rendered from the fats during the cooking process is enough to sauté the other ingredients. If meat without much fats is used, add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to sauté the meat before adding other ingredients. Additionally, using bone broth instead of water will make the soup tastes even better.

Important tips regarding vinegar and pepper

If you're wondering why the soup is still not sour enough even after adding a good amount of black vinegar, it could most likely be due to the vinegar being over heated as this will reduce its sourness. As for white pepper, over heating will result in slight bitterness. Therefore, always remove the soup from the stove before adding the vinegar and white pepper to get the best flavours.

Hot and sour soup noodles

Need more than just a bowl of soup? Add noodles to it. The usual selection of noodles would be la mian (pulled noodles) or Chinese glass noodles. La mian is more chewy while glass noodles are softer. Both types of noodles go well with the soup as the flavourful lightly thickened soup coats the noodles ensuring the deliciousness of each mouthful.

Can I freeze the soup for later consumption?

You may freeze the soup once it thickens. Allow to cool before keeping it in the freezer. Add the Chinese black vinegar and white pepper after the soup is reheated later.

Thaw or reheat soup by steaming or boiling. If you do not have time to thaw the soup, boil the frozen soup with a few tablespoons of water. The water will evaporate while cooking. Frozen soup can be stored for up to 6 months.

Vegetarian hot and sour soup

Omit meat from this recipe. It's best to use vegetable stock instead of water if you want to enhance the flavours. Just avoid using vegetable stocks which contain kombu or seaweed because it will make the soup taste different.


Ingredients

Servings:  
25 g
tofu (silken)
2
shiitake mushroom(s)
2
black fungus/mu-er mushroom(s)
50 g
pork belly
400 ml
water
1
carrot(s)
1 l
water
2 tbsp
soy sauce
1⁄4 tsp
salt
1
egg(s)
2 tbsp
corn starch
1 tbsp
water
2 tbsp
black vinegar
1 1⁄2 tsp
white pepper
1⁄2 tbsp
sesame oil
1
scallions

Steps to Prepare

Hot and Sour Soup Step 1

Step 1 of 4

    • 25 g tofu (silken)
    • 2 shiitake mushroom(s)
    • 2 black fungus/mu-er mushroom(s)
    • 50 g pork belly
    • 400 ml water
    • 1 carrot(s)

Soak black fungus and shiitake mushrooms separately in warm water for 20 minutes or until soft. Once hydrated, remove the hard parts of the black fungus. Slice mushrooms and black fungus thinly. Meanwhile, julienne carrot, tofu and pork. Set all ingredients aside.

Hot and Sour Soup Step 2

Step 2 of 4

    • 1 l water
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce

In a wok heated at medium heat, sauté pork slices to render oil from the fats. Add carrots to sauté until fragrant. Carrots will add a hint of orange colour to the meat. Then, add slices of shiitake mushroom and black fungus. Continue sautéing for another minute before adding soy sauce. Soy sauce will sizzle once it touches the surface of the wok. Then, add water.

Hot and Sour Soup Step 3

Step 3 of 4

    • 1⁄4 tsp salt
    • 1 egg(s)
    • 2 tbsp corn starch
    • 1 tbsp water

Increase heat to the maximum. Add tofu into soup. Meanwhile, mix cornflour and water to create cornstarch slurry. Once soup begins boiling, stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup. Carefully stir thickened soup while adding a beaten egg into it. Add salt to taste.

Hot and Sour Soup Step 4

Step 4 of 4

    • 2 tbsp black vinegar
    • 1 1⁄2 tsp white pepper
    • 1⁄2 tbsp sesame oil
    • 1 scallions

Turn off the stove before sprinkling white pepper into the soup. Then, stir in black vinegar. Garnish with slices of scallions and a few drops of sesame oil.

Published: March 30, 2019


3 Discussions

Greg Gist
4 years ago

Greg Gist

I put in the 1-1/2 tablespoon (Tbl) of white pepper and it over-powered the taste. All you could taste was the pepper so I'm thinking the recipe was in error and should only call for 1-1/2 teaspoons (tsp). I enjoy spicy food but this was just plain horrible!!

Grace
4 years ago

Grace

Oh dear....I'm so sorry Greg. You are right, it should have been teaspoon! The recipe is now updated. I'm really sorry about it.

Greg Gist
4 years ago

Greg Gist

Thank you. That makes much more sense!!

Robin
5 years ago

Robin

Second judge scored the dish. She gave a 10.0; she simply love it for its hotness and sourness! That would average out as a 9.3 from the former 8.5.

Robin
5 years ago

Robin

感谢您 “Nyonya Cooking” 这个可爱 的食谱!

Give us your opinion! Log in and start posting.