Vegetarian Bird's Nest Soup

Delight in the comforting warmth of **Vegetarian Bird's Nest Soup**, a plant-based twist on the traditional delicacy. This nourishing soup features silky agar agar strands as a creative substitute for the prized bird's nests, beautifully complemented by the earthy flavors of rehydrated shiitake mushrooms and the peppery brightness of fresh ginger. Simmered in a fragrant vegetable broth and thickened lightly with a cornstarch slurry, this recipe offers a luxuriously smooth texture and a savory, umami-packed profile. Vibrant carrot julienne adds a pop of color and sweetness, while soy sauce, white pepper, and fresh cilantro bring balance and freshness to every spoonful. Quick to prepare in under an hour, this vegan-friendly dish is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying as a light, wholesome meal on any day. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or serve solo to let its radiant flavors shine.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 50 grams Agar agar strands
• 4 cups Vegetable broth
• 6 pieces Dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 inch piece Ginger
• 1 medium Carrots
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 0.25 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon White pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Soak the dried agar agar strands in warm water for 20 minutes until softened. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

Rehydrate the dried shiitake mushrooms by soaking them in hot water for 20 minutes. Once softened, drain, slice thinly, and set aside.

Step 3

Peel and slice the ginger into thin strips. Peel the carrot and cut it into julienne strips or thin slices.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the sliced ginger, carrots, and soaked mushrooms to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the drained agar agar strands and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually add this to the soup, stirring constantly to thicken slightly.

Step 8

Season the soup with soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to taste.

Step 9

Remove the pot from heat and ladle the soup into bowls.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before serving. Enjoy hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1276.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	753.4

Total Fat 9.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5886.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 153.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.4g	0%
Total Sugars 20.4g
Protein 30.0g	0%

Vitamin D 924IU	0%
Calcium 215.6mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 3027.5mg	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: 10.8%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 74.6%