Asian cuisine
Chinese sour and spicy soup
Chinese Sour Spicy Soup is a legendary classic of Sichuan cuisine, known for its warming and contrasting flavor profile. At the heart of this light but hearty dish is a rich broth in which delicate pork, textural woody mushrooms and tender silken tofu create the perfect palette of consistency. Traditional rice vinegar lends the soup its characteristic invigorating sourness, while chili and white pepper reveal a deep, burning spiciness. The final touch of fine egg ribbons and delicate starch thickening transforms each spoonful into an exquisite gastronomic delight with a velvety texture.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 35 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cuisine
- Asian cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
If you are using dried wood mushrooms, pour warm water over t…
If you are using dried wood mushrooms, pour warm water over them until they soften, then squeeze and slice. Shred the pork flesh into very thin, delicate slices, and carefully divide the firm tofu into small equal bars or cubes.
- 02
Heat the vegetable oil in a thick-bottomed saucepan
Heat the vegetable oil in a thick-bottomed saucepan. Place the finely chopped garlic and ginger and fry for about half a minute until an intense spicy aroma appears, making sure the garlic does not burn.
- 03
Add the pork straws to the flavored oil and cook the meat for…
Add the pork straws to the flavored oil and cook the meat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. The meat should completely change its color from pink to matte and slightly crusty.
- 04
Pour all the prepared broth into the pot, add the chopped woo…
Pour all the prepared broth into the pot, add the chopped wood mushrooms and bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. After that, reduce the heat to medium and simmer the soup base for 5-7 minutes to allow the mushrooms to give their flavor.
- 05
Gently lower the tofu cubes into the pot, pour in the soy sau…
Gently lower the tofu cubes into the pot, pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili flakes to taste. Be sure to taste the resulting broth and balance the flavor with salt, white or black pepper if necessary.
- 06
In a separate small bowl, thoroughly mix the cornstarch and c…
In a separate small bowl, thoroughly mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth and runny. Stirring the soup in a circular motion, pour the starch mixture into the broth and bring to a light, silky thickening.
- 07
In a bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork or whisk until s…
In a bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork or whisk until smooth. Start slowly stirring the soup with a spoon in a circular motion, creating a smooth funnel, and pour in the eggs in a thin stream to create nice, airy egg ribbons.
- 08
At the very last moment, add finely chopped green onions to t…
At the very last moment, add finely chopped green onions to the pot, stir, remove the soup from the heat and immediately proceed to serving the dish.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
Introduce the rice vinegar and spicy chili gradually, tasting the broth at each stage — this will allow you to catch the perfect balance of sour and spicy for your palate. Always pour the cornstarch slurry in a thin stream while stirring continuously to ensure the soup thickens evenly without creating lumps. Add the tofu cubes near the very end and stir very gently to preserve their shape.
How to serve
The soup must be served piping hot, immediately after cooking, while the egg ribbons remain delicate. It is highly recommended to garnish each portion with finely chopped green onions just before serving for a fresh aroma and a vibrant pop of color.
How to store
The finished soup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 day. When reheating, warm it over minimal heat and avoid a rolling boil, otherwise the delicate texture of the egg ribbons and tofu may be disrupted.
Note
In this homemade version, the amount of spices can easily be adapted to individual preferences. The basic chicken or vegetable broth serves as an excellent canvas, allowing you to easily adjust the desired thickness and level of heat.
