Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup
Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup delivers a balanced kick of white pepper heat and bright rice vinegar tang, rounded by earthy shiitakes and umami-rich soy. Silky tofu and delicate egg ribbons add satisfying texture, while ginger and scallions keep the broth lively. Serve this comforting bowl as a cozy weeknight starter or a light lunch on chilly days.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 47 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 100 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 13
- Heart Health
- 34
- Metabolic
- 20
- Digestive
- 24
- Inflammatory
- 53
- Performance
- 44
- General Wellness
- 1
Gather the ingredients.
- 2
Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water, stirring now and then, until softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well and slice into thin strips.
- 3
Whisk soy sauce, vinegar, ground white pepper, and sesame oil together in a small bowl to make the hot and sour mixture; set aside until needed.
- 4
Whisk cornstarch and water together in another small bowl to make a slurry; set aside until needed.
- 5
Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high. Add ginger, sliced green onions, and shiitake mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
- 6
Stir in carrot, red pepper, bamboo shoots, tofu, and the hot and sour mixture. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- 7
Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Stir the soup slowly with a spoon while pouring in the beaten eggs in a steady stream to form thin ribbons. Continue stirring until the soup returns to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
- 8
Stir the cornstarch slurry to ensure it is well mixed, then slowly drizzle it into the soup while stirring constantly. The soup should thicken within 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, taste for seasoning, and serve.
- 9
Enjoy!
- Calories 251.57 kcal Moderate 13%
- Protein 17.26 g Good Source 35%
- Carbohydrate 23.94 g 9%
- Total Fat 9.97 g Moderate 13%
- Saturated Fat 2.65 g Moderate 13%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 135.65 mg High 45%
- Sodium 1586.54 mg High 69%
- Dietary Fiber 2.08 g Low Source 7%
- Total Sugars 5.85 g --
- Added Sugars 3.51 g Moderate 7%
- Calcium 59.98 mg Low Source 5%
- Iron 2.39 mg Moderate 13%
- Potassium 430.33 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin A 130.53 mcg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin C 11.88 mg Moderate 13%
- Vitamin D 0.69 mcg Low Source 3%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Soy 🌱
- Sesame
- Corn 🌽
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Chef John's Spicy Tangy Hot and Sour Soup is made with 16 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 50 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Bamboo Shoots, Chicken Broth, Cornstarch, and Dried Shiitake Mushroom. Each serving provides about 251.57 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup made of?
- The main ingredients are Bamboo Shoots, Chicken Broth, Cornstarch, Dried Shiitake Mushroom, Eggs. The full list of 16 is above.
- How long does it take to make Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup?
- About 50 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 251.57 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 16 ingredients and 9 steps.
- Is Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup healthy?
- Chef John's Spicy-Tangy Hot and Sour Soup has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 251.57 calories and 17.26 g of protein, or 35% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1586.54 mg (69% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 2.65 g (13% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 3.51 g (7% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Soy, Sesame, Corn and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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