🍲 Dad's AMAZING Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣湯)!

tofu

🥗Healthier: silken tofu

💰Cheaper: tempeh

Silken tofu is lower in calories, while tempeh is often more affordable.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, and using seasoned water can be a budget-friendly option.

Open the seafood mushroom package and use half (about 2 oz).

Cut away the roots of the seafood mushroom and cut the stem in half lengthwise.

Wash the seafood mushrooms in water.

Cut the king oyster mushroom into small strips, using half (about 2 oz).

Cut 2-3 shiitake mushrooms. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrate them in warm water for 5-10 minutes.

Rehydrate 1/4 oz of dried wood ear fungus in warm water for 15-20 minutes, then cut into small strips.

Chop 1.5 to 2 oz of carrot.

Chop half of a red bell pepper (about 1 oz).

Cut 2 medium-sized tomatoes using a specific dicing technique: cut off the end with the green stem, cut the tomato in half, make cuts about 1 centimeter apart almost to the edge, then turn the tomato and make perpendicular cuts.

Chop tofu into small strips.

Prepare a cornstarch slurry with 3 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp water.

Crack 2 eggs into a bowl and mix them together later for the egg drop.

Heat a wok on high heat and add a little corn oil.

Add 2 chili peppers to the oil for about 1 minute to infuse the oil with chili flavor, then remove the chilies.

Cook the chopped tomatoes in the wok for 30-60 seconds.

Add 5 cups of water to the wok (boiled in advance to speed up cooking).

Once the soup starts to boil, add 1 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce, and 1 tbsp sugar.

Cover the wok with a smaller lid to boil faster.

After 3-4 minutes, when boiling, add the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly while slowly pouring it in over 50-60 seconds.

Beat the eggs well for about 20-30 seconds, then slowly pour them into the boiling soup without stirring too much.

Add 2 tbsp vinegar at the end to maintain its flavor, and adjust for more sourness if desired.

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding 1 tsp sesame oil and turning off the heat.

If a darker color is desired, add more dark soy sauce (up to 1/2 tsp).

Pour the soup into a bowl and garnish with green onion.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens