Description
Warm your soul with Hot and Sour Dumpling Soup, a bold, comforting dish that combines tangy broth, spicy chili oil, and tender dumplings. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal on a chilly day, this recipe is easy to customize and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 10–12 dumplings (homemade or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan chili flakes
- 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic (3–4 cloves)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 pinch dried shrimp flakes (optional)
- 1 small sheet dried laver (optional)
- Salt, to taste
For Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
- 1 large pinch chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Dumplings
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
- Gently drop in the dumplings and stir to prevent sticking.
- Allow the water to return to a boil. Add ¼ cup cold water to cool it slightly, and repeat this process each time the water boils vigorously.
- Cook dumplings for 6–8 minutes (or as per package instructions). They’re done when they float to the top.
Step 2: Make the Chili Oil Base
- In a heat-proof bowl, combine minced garlic and Sichuan chili flakes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a small pot until it starts to smoke lightly.
- Carefully pour the hot oil over the garlic and chili flakes. Stir to release the flavors.
Step 3: Build the Broth
- Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds to the chili oil mixture.
- If using dried shrimp flakes or dried laver, stir them in for extra umami.
Step 4: Assemble the Soup
- Ladle 1 cup of the dumpling cooking water into the chili oil and seasoning mixture to create the broth.
- Add the cooked dumplings to the bowl.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Top with chopped scallions and cilantro, if desired.
- Taste the broth and adjust the salt as needed.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this bold, flavorful soup!
Notes
- Spice Level: Adjust the chili flakes to suit your heat tolerance.
- Dumpling Options: Pork, chicken, shrimp, or vegetable dumplings all work beautifully. Frozen dumplings are a convenient option.
- Broth Consistency: Add more dumpling cooking water if you prefer a thinner broth.
- Storage: Store leftover broth in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and cook fresh dumplings when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese