This authentic hot and sour soup recipe delivers the bold, balanced flavors that make this classic soup so popular. Savory broth, gentle heat, and bright acidity come together with silky egg ribbons, tofu, and vegetables to create a comforting yet light dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Hot and sour soup is known for its contrast of flavors. The sourness comes from rice vinegar, while heat is added through chili oil or hot sauce. This version keeps the preparation simple while staying true to the traditional flavor profile.
Why This Is an Authentic Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
This soup relies on classic ingredients and techniques rather than heavy thickeners or overpowering spices. Vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil work together to create depth, while the egg is gently streamed into the broth to form delicate strands. Tofu adds protein without weighing the soup down, making it both nourishing and satisfying.
Ingredients
4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup thinly sliced mushrooms
2–3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, to taste
2–3 tablespoons lite (reduced-sodium) soy sauce, to taste
1 clove garlic, minced (about ½ teaspoon)
½ teaspoon ground dried ginger
¼–1 teaspoon hot sauce or hot chili oil, to taste
1 egg
½ cup cubed firm tofu (about 4 ounces)
2 scallions (green onions), thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh or frozen corn
½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
How to Make Authentic Hot and Sour Soup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1½ cups
Region: Eastern Asia
Country: Philippines
Add the broth to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and maintain a gentle simmer.
Add the mushrooms, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and hot sauce or chili oil. Stir to combine, then return the soup to a simmer.
Crack the egg into a small bowl and gently beat it with a fork to combine the whites and yolk. While stirring the soup in a slow circular motion, drizzle the egg into the pot in a thin stream to create soft ribbons.
Add the tofu, scallions, corn, and sesame oil. Stir gently and simmer until everything is heated through.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more vinegar for extra sourness, soy sauce for saltiness, or hot sauce or chili oil for additional heat. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
For a thicker soup, mix ¼ cup of cool broth with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, then add it during step 5 and simmer until slightly thickened.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition and Serving Ideas
One serving of this authentic hot and sour soup contains approximately 70 calories, 3 g of total fat, 0.5 g of saturated fat, 4.5 g of carbohydrates, 0.5 g of dietary fiber, and 7 g of protein, with 655 mg of sodium per serving.
Serve this soup as a light starter, a comforting lunch, or alongside other Asian-inspired dishes. Its low calorie count and high protein content make it a great option when you want something warm and flavorful without feeling heavy.
This authentic hot and sour soup recipe balances tradition, simplicity, and bold flavor, making it an easy go-to whenever you crave a classic, comforting soup made at home.
Hot and sour soup is mildly to moderately spicy. You can easily control the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce or chili oil to suit your taste.
Yes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The tofu, mushrooms, and egg already provide protein and texture, making it a satisfying vegetarian option.
Slowly drizzling the egg into the simmering soup while stirring creates delicate egg ribbons. This technique gives hot and sour soup its signature texture.
For a thicker soup, mix cornstarch with cool broth and add it near the end of cooking. Simmer briefly until the soup reaches the desired consistency.
Stored in an airtight container, hot and sour soup will keep for up to four days in the refrigerator.
| Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Sodium | Total Carbohydrate | Dietary Fiber | Protein |
| 70g | 3g | 0.5g | 655g | 4.5g | 0.5g | 7g |
If you enjoyed this authentic hot and sour soup recipe and are looking for a quick, flavorful appetizer to serve alongside it, try this garlic edamame. It’s a simple Japanese-inspired dish made with butter, garlic, and soy sauce that comes together in minutes:
https://rooftopbakery.com/garlic-edamame/
