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Easy Restaurant-Style Hot and Sour Soup

A close-up of a bowl of rich, dark hot and sour soup recipe garnished with sliced green onions.
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Make this classic hot and sour soup at home. It balances tangy vinegar and spicy pepper for an authentic flavor profile, ready faster than takeout.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (for color)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for heat)
  • 4 ounces firm tofu, cut into small strips
  • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 ounces bamboo shoots, sliced
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • 2 scallions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Combine the vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, white pepper, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots to the simmering broth. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  3. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the soup while stirring constantly until the broth thickens slightly.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the soup in a thin stream while gently stirring the soup in one direction to create ribbons. Do not over-stir.
  5. Taste the soup and adjust the vinegar or pepper if needed to achieve your preferred spicy and tangy balance.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with sliced scallions. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth. For a non-vegetarian version, you can substitute chicken broth.
  • To make this soup gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • If you want a thicker texture, increase the cornstarch slurry slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/hot-and-sour-soup-recipe/