Vegetarian Authentic Chinese Hot and Sour Soup

Dive into a bowl of comforting and flavorful Vegetarian Authentic Chinese Hot and Sour Soup! This plant-based twist on a classic Chinese dish is a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and umami-rich flavors, made with wholesome ingredients like extra-firm tofu, rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and fresh green onions. Infused with a zesty combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, white pepper, and a kick of chili paste, this soup is thickened to perfection with a silky cornstarch slurry. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a quick and satisfying meal ideal for weeknight dinners or when you're craving a warming, Asian-inspired dish. Served hot and garnished with fresh greens, this soup is not only delicious but also vegan-friendly and easy to make. Perfect for fans of authentic Chinese cuisine who want a lighter, vegetarian alternative!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 8 oz extra-firm tofu
• 8 pieces dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup bamboo shoots
• 1 medium carrot
• 4 stalks green onions
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 0.5 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Start by soaking the dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes until they are rehydrated. Once done, squeeze out the excess water, remove the stems, and thinly slice the mushroom caps.

Step 2

While the mushrooms soak, dice the extra-firm tofu into small cubes and thinly slice the carrot and green onions.

Step 3

In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Add the sliced mushrooms, diced tofu, sliced bamboo shoots, and sliced carrot to the pot. Stir gently and allow these ingredients to cook for about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, white pepper, chili paste, sesame oil, sugar, and salt. Mix well to fully incorporate the flavors.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Slowly pour this slurry into the pot while stirring continuously to thicken the soup.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.

Step 8

Finally, add the sliced green onions just before serving to retain their freshness and crispness.

Step 9

Serve the hot and sour soup hot, garnish with additional green onions or a drizzle of sesame oil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2202.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1568.1

Total Fat 50.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.6g
Cholesterol 3.1mg	0%
Sodium 6872.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 224.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 53.4g	0%
Total Sugars 39.1g
Protein 82.0g	0%

Vitamin D 1232IU	0%
Calcium 1864.1mg	0%
Iron 18.0mg	0%
Potassium 4900.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.2%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 53.3%