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Hot and sour sauce served with rice
Tangy and intense Chinese hot and sour sauce

Hot and Sour Soup Base

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes Main Courses
The secret to Hot and Sour soup (or thick sauce) is 'velveting'. The contrast of vinegar (sour) and white pepper/chili (hot) is softened by egg and starch. The 'egg drop' technique in the soup is not just visual but adds texture: in the hot, thickened liquid, the egg sets in thin, silky ribbons rather than a solid lump.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 140 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Chinese

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Ladle: For drizzling the egg.
  • Whisk: For the cornstarch slurry.

Allergen Information

⚠️ Egg
⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Wheat

Instructions

1 ✓

Grate the ginger and garlic. Beat the egg in a small bowl with a fork, as if making scrambled eggs.

Tip: The egg should be completely uniform.
2 ✓

In a saucepan, bring the stock, soy sauce, sugar, grated ginger, garlic, and chili to a boil.

Tip: Let it simmer for a few minutes to infuse the flavors.
3 ✓

Pour in the vinegar.

Tip: Vinegar is added later so it keeps its sharp 'bite'.
4 ✓

Mix the cornstarch with cold water, then pour into the soup. Stir until thickened.

Tip: It is important to thicken first, then add the egg! The egg disperses beautifully in the thickened liquid.
5 ✓

Here is the trick: Stir the soup in a circular motion (create a vortex) and slowly drizzle the beaten egg in a thin stream. Don't stir wildly, just let the hot soup 'cook' the egg ribbons.

Tip: This creates those beautiful floating 'clouds'.
6 ✓

Turn off the heat immediately.

Tip: The egg takes only seconds to cook.

Recipe FAQ

My egg clumped together.
You poured too fast or didn't stir the soup enough. The water must be moving (creating a vortex) when you drizzle the egg.
Not sour enough.
Vinegar flavor fades during cooking. Add a splash more at the very end, right before serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup Rice vinegar (or black vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 2 tsp Cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup Water (for cornstarch)
  • 1 tsp Red chili flakes (or white pepper for authenticity)
  • 2 tsp Sugar
  • 1 piece (1 inch) Fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 large Egg