The Top Chinese Soup Recipes for Beginners

Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavors and textures, and soups hold a prominent place in this culinary tradition. If you're a beginner looking to explore the world of Chinese soups, here are some top recipes that are simple yet delicious. These recipes will not only warm your heart but also make your cooking journey enjoyable.

1. Hot and Sour Soup

This classic Chinese dish combines a delightful mix of spicy and tangy flavors. To make Hot and Sour Soup, you'll need tofu, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and a variety of spices.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup firm tofu, diced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with water (for thickening)
  • 1 beaten egg (optional)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil.
  2. Add the tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Cook for about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and white pepper.
  4. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture while stirring to thicken the soup.
  5. If desired, slowly pour in the beaten egg while stirring for added texture.
  6. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

2. Wonton Soup

Wonton Soup is a soothing broth filled with delicate dumplings. Making wontons from scratch may seem daunting, but with practice, you can master this recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package wonton wrappers
  • 1 pound ground pork or shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups bok choy or spinach
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix ground meat with soy sauce and sesame oil.
  2. Place a small spoonful of the mixture into the center of a wonton wrapper. Fold and seal the edges to form a dumpling.
  3. In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil.
  4. Add the dumplings and cook until they float, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Add bok choy or spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped green onions.

3. Chinese Corn Soup

This sweet and savory soup is ideal for a comforting meal. It’s particularly popular for its simple ingredients and quick preparation time.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup sweet corn (fresh or canned)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with water
  • 1 beaten egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, combine the broth and sweet corn. Bring to a boil.
  2. Stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken.
  3. Once thickened, slowly drizzle in the beaten egg while gently stirring.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.