Hot and Sour Soup
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Chinese

Hot and Sour Soup

A classic Chinese soup with a deeply savory broth, tender shiitakes, tofu, bamboo shoots, and ribbons of egg sharpened with black vinegar and white pepper.

40 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Soak the dried shiitakes in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain, reserving up to 150 ml of clear soaking liquid, then slice the mushrooms and prepare the tofu, bamboo shoots, ginger, and scallions.
2
Combine the warm vegetable stock, reserved mushroom liquid if using, soy sauce, sliced shiitakes, tofu, bamboo shoots, ginger, and the white parts of the scallions in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
3
Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the ginger smells aromatic.
Tofu, shiitakes, bamboo shoots, and ginger simmering in hot and sour soup AI-generated image
4
Stir the cornstarch slurry, then pour it into the simmering soup in a thin stream while stirring. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the broth lightly coats a spoon.
5
Stir in the Chinkiang vinegar, white pepper, and sesame oil. Taste and adjust the vinegar or soy sauce so the broth is sharply sour, savory, and peppery.
6
Stir the soup in one direction and slowly drizzle in the beaten pasteurized eggs. Let them set into fine ribbons for 30 seconds, then remove the pan from the heat.
7
Ladle the soup into four warmed bowls and scatter over the green scallion tops. Serve immediately with extra vinegar or chili oil if desired.
Bowls of finished hot and sour soup garnished with scallions AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

A balanced sequence of savory soy, aromatic ginger, peppery heat, and bright black vinegar gives the broth its recognizable hot-and-sour profile, while cornstarch adds just enough body to carry the tofu and mushrooms.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool the soup promptly and refrigerate it in a covered container for up to 3 days. Store garnishes separately when possible.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming throughout; do not boil vigorously, or the tofu and egg will toughen.

Nutrition / serving

181kcal
11.19 gprotein
17.45 gcarbs
8.35 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 20 Aug 2026 · updated 20 Aug 2026