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Hot and sour soup in a bowl with a spoon in it.

Hot and Sour Soup

Our easy, homemade Hot and Sour Soup is a classic dish known for its bold balance of heat and tang. Our version uses shiitake mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, and a flavorful broth seasoned with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

Course Soup
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword hot and sour soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 100 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 7 cups water
  • 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms stems removed and thinly sliced
  • 2, 5- ounce cans bamboo shoots 10 ounces total, drained
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper optional if you like more heat
  • 8 ounces firm tofu cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 5 scallions thinly sliced, light and dark green parts divided
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  1. In a large soup pot, add the broth, 7 cups water, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, tofu and sliced white parts of the scallion.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1⁄4 cup of water. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering soup and mix until combined. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Slowly drizzle the whisked egg into the soup and use a spoon to swirl it into the broth, allowing it to cook and become ribbon-like.
  5. Turn off the heat and stir in the sliced green parts of the scallion, vinegar and sesame oil.
  6. Taste and add more soy sauce, vinegar or salt/pepper to your liking.

Recipe Notes

  • I like to use low sodium broth and soy sauce in this recipe. It can easily become too salty of a soup, so it is best to start with less salt and add more if needed.
  • I also like to add a small splash of extra soy sauce into my bowl when serving, but that’s just because I love the soy sauce flavor. The recipe as-is is amazing!
  • Easily swap the fresh ginger with 1⁄2 tsp ground ginger.
Nutrition Facts
Hot and Sour Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 100 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.004g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 636mg28%
Potassium 185mg5%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 174IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.