Easy Hot and Sour Soup
Easy homemade Hot and Sour Soup recipe with tofu, mushrooms, and authentic Asian flavors ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 cup wood ear mushrooms, julienned
- 14 ounces firm tofu, cut into small cubes
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon white pepper, freshly ground
- 2 medium carrots, cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 cup bamboo shoots, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon chili oil or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Prepare all ingredients in advance by slicing the mushrooms, cutting the tofu into cubes, julienning the carrots, and mincing the garlic and ginger to streamline the cooking process.
- 2
Heat the vegetable broth in a large pot over medium-high heat until it reaches a gentle boil, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the boiling broth, stirring constantly until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- 4
Introduce the sliced shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms to the pot, simmering for 3 minutes to allow them to soften and infuse their deep umami flavors.
- 5
Stir in the diced carrots and bamboo shoots, continuing to simmer for 2 more minutes until the vegetables begin to soften slightly.
- 6
Pour in the rice vinegar and low-sodium soy sauce, stirring well to combine and tasting the broth for your desired balance of sour and savory notes.
- 7
Gently add the cubed tofu to the pot, being careful not to break the pieces, and let it warm through for 2 minutes.
- 8
Sprinkle the freshly ground white pepper evenly over the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed.
- 9
Slowly drizzle the cornstarch slurry into the simmering broth while stirring constantly until the soup thickens slightly, about 1 minute.
- 10
Create a gentle whirlpool in the soup by stirring with a spoon, then slowly pour the beaten egg in a thin stream to form silky egg ribbons throughout.
- 11
Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 30 seconds to allow the egg to fully set.
- 12
Drizzle the sesame oil over the surface of the soup and add the chili oil to taste for your preferred level of spiciness.
- 13
Scatter the green onions and fresh cilantro over the top of each serving just before presenting.
- 14
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately while steaming and at its peak flavor.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| vegetable broth | bone broth or chicken broth | Provides additional collagen and amino acids for joint and gut health while adding richer depth to the base |
| white pepper | freshly cracked black pepper with a pinch of cayenne | Black pepper contains piperine which aids digestion and absorption, while cayenne provides additional anti-inflammatory capsaicin |
| low-sodium soy sauce | tamari or coconut aminos | Tamari is gluten-free with better amino acid profile; coconut aminos is lower sodium and gentler on blood sugar levels |
| rice vinegar | apple cider vinegar with the mother | Contains beneficial probiotics and enzymes that support gut health and aid in nutrient absorption |
| cornstarch | arrowroot powder or tapioca starch | Both are easier to digest than corn-based thickeners and have a lower glycemic impact on blood sugar |
| firm tofu | silken tofu or tempeh | Silken tofu offers easier digestion; tempeh provides complete protein with better probiotic content from fermentation |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 142 |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 48mg |
| Sodium | 480mg |
| Carbohydrates | 11g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Protein | 15g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
