5 Best Chinese Soups for Winter (Steps and Recipes)

Chinese soups make a hearty and satisfying meal for friends and family on a cold day. They are warming and refreshing and can be made with a variety of ingredients and flavors. The following are some Chinese soups recommended for winter that are simple and easy to make. Most winter soups tend to be spicy. The spices used in the soup base help raise the body's temperature and improve circulation throughout the body. Spicy foods can also help clear your sinuses and ward off the winter flu. In addition, Chinese soups are rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, they can provide nutrition to the body during the cold season.

This article recommends 5 best Chinese soups for winter. You only need a few ingredients to make it, and drinking it will keep you warm while helping to fight the flu and prevent illness.

5 Best Chinese Soups for Winter

1. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a Chinese soup made from ingredients such as tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, day lily sprouts and eggs. In addition, you need to add some vinegar, chili and garlic. As a Chinese soup for winter, the amount of pepper and vinegar in this soup makes it flavorful and nourishing to keep out the cold.

Preparation materials:

6 dried mushrooms;
1/4 cup dried lily buds;
1 piece of dried tofu;
6 cups chicken broth, or 5 cups broth plus 1 cup mushroom soaking liquid;
1/4 cup ground pork;
1 teaspoon salt;
2 tablespoons soy sauce;
2 tablespoons slightly sweet rice vinegar;
1/2 teaspoon white pepper;
1 tablespoon tapioca starch;
1/4 cup water;
1 egg white, lightly beaten;
chopped green onion;
A few drops of sesame oil;

Steps for making hot and sour soup

(1) Soak the dried mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes to soften them. Then squeeze out excess moisture from the mushrooms and cut into slices; if desired, reserve the soaking liquid. Soak the dried lily buds in hot water for 20 minutes, then drain.
(2) Cut the tofu into cubes.
(3) Pour the chicken broth or soup with the mushroom soaking liquid into a pan, bring to a boil and add the mushrooms, lily buds, tofu and minced pork.
(4) Bring to a boil again and add salt, soy sauce, rice vinegar and white pepper.
(5) Mix tapioca starch and water and slowly pour it into the soup while stirring. When the soup thickens, turn off the heat.
(6) Pour in the egg white and stir quickly until it becomes silky. Stir in chopped green onions, drizzle with sesame oil and give it a final stir.

2. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a classic Chinese soup made with chicken broth, eggs, and green onions. This healthy, light soup is probably one of the perfect soups for the winter months, plus you’ll find it on the menu at almost every Chinese restaurant. Note that the most challenging part of this egg drop soup is pouring the eggs into the soup.

Preparation materials:

4 cups chicken stock or broth;
1 teaspoon white pepper;
1/4 teaspoon salt;
1/4 teaspoon sugar;
1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry;
2 eggs, lightly beaten;
A little chopped green onion;
A few drops of sesame oil;

Egg drop soup production steps:

(1) Bring chicken stock or broth to a boil.
(2) After the soup boils, add white pepper, salt, sugar and rice wine and cook for another minute.
(3) After turning off the heat, slowly pour the eggs into the soup and stir quickly in a clockwise direction until egg filaments are formed.
(4) Add chopped green onions and sesame oil, stir for the final time and serve while hot.

3. Wonton Chicken Soup

Wonton Chicken Soup is a popular Chinese soup made with pork dumplings, vegetables and chicken broth. Although it is often eaten as an appetizer, it can also be enjoyed as a meal.

Preparation materials:

You need enough water to boil the wontons;
Wonton;
6 cups chicken stock or broth;
1/2 cup chopped cabbage;
salt and pepper to taste;
chopped green onions;

Wonton Chicken Soup Production Steps:

(1) Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add wontons. Make sure there is enough space in the pot for the wontons to roll freely.
(2) Boil the water for at least 5 minutes until the wontons float and the fillings are cooked;
(3) Use a slotted spoon to remove the wontons;
(4) Bring chicken soup to a boil, add cabbage and cook until softened;
(5) Season the broth with salt and pepper;
(6) Add the cooked wontons and bring the soup to a boil;
(7) Turn off the heat and add chopped green onions. Serve with at least 6 wontons per person.

4. Chicken and Corn Soup

Chicken and corn soup is a classic winter soup that is light and delicious. As the name suggests, this soup is made with chicken broth, corn, eggs and mushrooms.

Preparation materials:

2 tablespoons canola oil;
2 tablespoons minced garlic;
3 cups chicken broth;
1 teaspoon ground ginger;
2 tablespoons cornstarch;
2 tablespoons soy sauce;
2 cups cooked diced chicken breast;
1 cup frozen corn kernels;
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley;
1/4 teaspoon white pepper;
2 tablespoons sesame oil;

Steps for making chicken and corn soup:

(1) Prepare the following ingredients: chicken broth, corn kernels, onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, butter, salt and pepper;
(2) Melt butter in a large pot, add onion and garlic, and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until softened;
(3) Pour in chicken broth, carrots and potatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until vegetables are soft;
(4) Add corn kernels and simmer for 5 minutes;
(5) Remove from heat and stir the soup until smooth.
(6) Return the soup to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

5. Tom Yum Soup

Tom yum soup is a hot and sour soup made with ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, fish sauce and shrimp. You can taste sour and spicy at once. This makes it one of the most popular soups during the winter months. Tom yum soup lovers often describe its refreshing taste as second to none. Honestly, you have to taste it during the cold winter months.

Preparation materials:

2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste;
1 tablespoon fish sauce;
4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth);
2 tablespoons lime juice;
2 cloves minced garlic;
1 teaspoon ground ginger;
1/2 teaspoon chopped red pepper;
1 can of coconut milk;
2 cups sliced mushrooms;
8 ounces peeled shrimp;
1/2 cup chopped cilantro;
1/2 cup chopped green onions;
4 tablespoons chopped Thai chilies;

Steps for making Tom Yum Soup:

(1) Prepare the following ingredients: Tom Yum sauce (or Tom Yum seasoning), chicken or vegetable broth, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, mushrooms, lemongrass, lime leaves, Thai chilies and chicken or shrimp;
(2) Heat a large pot over medium-high heat.
(3) Add the sauce to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes until the aroma comes out;
(4) Add chicken or vegetable broth, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, mushrooms, lemongrass, and lime leaves;
(5) After boiling, turn down the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes;
(6) Add Thai chili and chicken or shrimp. If using low heat, cook for 5 minutes longer until the chicken or shrimp is cooked.
(7) Add fish sauce, sugar or lime juice for seasoning;
(8) Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Conclusion

Winter is a time when we look forward to hot soups and spicy foods for comfort and warmth. Choosing Chinese soups will provide a delightful way to stay warm during the winter months. The soups recommended in this article can improve digestion and help increase body heat on cold days, and also provide many other benefits, such as boosting our immunity and helping us maintain good overall health throughout the winter.

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