Discover the Best Chinese Seafood Soup Recipes
Chinese cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients, and seafood soup is one of its most delightful offerings. These recipes not only provide comfort and warmth but also showcase the incredible flavors of fresh seafood combined with aromatic herbs and spices. Below, we explore some of the best Chinese seafood soup recipes that you can easily prepare at home.
1. Hot and Sour Seafood Soup
This dish is a perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors. To prepare this soup, you'll need:
- 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup squid, sliced
- 1 cup fish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups chicken or seafood stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- Bean sprouts and scallions for garnish
Begin by heating the stock in a pot and adding the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and white pepper. Once it's boiling, add the seafood and cook until just done. Thicken with the cornstarch mixture and serve hot, garnished with bean sprouts and scallions.
2. Cantonese Fish Maw Soup
This luxurious soup features fish maw, a traditional Chinese delicacy. You will need:
- 5 ounces fish maw, soaked and sliced
- 1 cup fish fillets (your choice of white fish)
- 4 cups chicken or seafood stock
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- Chinese parsley for garnish
In a pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add the ginger, mushrooms, and fish maw, simmering until tender. Add the fish fillets last to prevent overcooking. Season with Shaoxing wine, salt, and white pepper before serving, topped with fresh parsley.
3. Seafood and Tofu Soup
This healthy recipe marries seafood with silken tofu for a delicious, nutrient-packed meal. Ingredients include:
- 1 cup shrimp, peeled
- 1 cup scallops
- 1 block silken tofu, cubed
- 4 cups vegetable or seafood stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Green onions for garnish
Start by sautéing the garlic in sesame oil until fragrant. Add the stock and bring it to a simmer. Incorporate the seafood and tofu, cooking gently until everything is heated through. Add soy sauce for flavor and serve with chopped green onions as a garnish.
4. Chinese Spicy Seafood Soup
If you're a fan of heat, this recipe is for you! You’ll need:
- 1 cup mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, and clams)
- 4 cups seafood broth
- 2 tablespoons chili paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Lemon juice for a splash of acidity
Heat the broth in a pan and add the ginger and chili paste. Let it simmer for a few minutes before adding the mixed seafood. Cook until the seafood is just done, then stir in the soy sauce and a splash of lemon juice. Serve hot, garnished with green onions.
5. Tomato and Seafood Soup
This refreshing soup is perfect for a light meal and requires:
- 1 cup shrimp
- 1 cup crab meat
- 2 cups diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 4 cups seafood stock
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil for garnish
In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add the tomatoes and seafood stock, bringing it to a boil. Add the shrimp and crab, cooking until the shrimp is pink. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
These delightful Chinese seafood soup