Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (2024)

  • Chinese Food
  • Soups
  • Chinese Appetizers
  • Chinese Sides
  • Vegetable Recipes

By

Liv Wan

Liv Wan

Liv Wan is a former professional chef who has published three cookbooks about Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine.

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Updated on 05/21/21

Tested by

Laurel Randolph

Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (1)

Tested byLaurel Randolph

A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 15 mins

Servings: 3to 4 servings

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Egg drop soup, alongside wonton soup and hot and sour soup, are the classic comfort soups offered on all Chinese restaurant menus. Egg drop soup, or egg flower soup, is a really basic boiled chicken broth soup, and in its simplest form, the only ingredients needed are the broth itself, eggs, and spring onions. Other ingredients are added to taste—like tofu, corn, or bean sprouts—and each cook has a take on the classic.

Some variations call for water instead of broth to allow the egg flavor to stand out. But using chicken or vegetable stockmakes a big difference in the final flavor—the soup will have a more comforting and filling quality to it. Many restaurants serve thickened egg drop soup using cornstarch (aka corn flour) or potato starch, but our recipe goes for the equally delicious classic thinner version.

Tradition says that adding fresh ginger or turmeric to oureasy egg drop soup makes a perfect home remedy for cold and flu. What's true is that a bowl of this comforting preparation is the best way to start a meal, and to soothe and prepare your stomach for spicier and fattier dishes that are yet to come to the table. For a vegetarian version, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.

Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (2)

"Recipes don't get much simpler than this, with just a few simple ingredients. The quality of each really counts—use great broth and fresh eggs. Serve as-is for an appetizer or add veggies, tofu, mushrooms, and more for a filling dish." —Laurel Randolph

Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (3)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock (or vegetable broth)

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

  • Salt, to taste

  • A few drops sesame oil, optional

  • 1 to 2 spring onions, finely chopped, garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (4)

  2. In a wok or saucepan, bring the 4 cups of chicken broth or stock to a boil. Very slowly, pour in the lightly beaten eggs in a steady stream.

    Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (5)

  3. To make shreds, stir the egg rapidly in a clockwise direction as you pour for 1 minute. To make thin streams or ribbons, gently stir the eggs in a clockwise direction until they form.

    Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (6)

  4. Add the pepper, salt, and sesame oil if using. Pour into bowls and garnish with spring onion.

    Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (7)

Tip

If you'd prefer a thicker version of egg drop soup, simply follow these easy steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix together 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or potato starch with 1/2 cup of water until smooth.
  • Slowly stir the cornstarch paste into the chicken stock before adding the eggs. Proceed with the rest of the recipe instructions.

Recipe Variations

Although they're not entirely traditional ingredients, many egg drop soup enthusiasts find that adding one or more of the following makes for a really tasty soup:

  • Cubed tofu adds texture, volume, and protein. Simply cube 1/2 pack of pressed extra-firm tofu and add it before stirring in the egg so it has enough time to warm up.
  • Add 1 can of corn before adding the egg. This adds texture and another flavor profile. It makes the soup heartier so it can be, if needed, a light lunch or dinner, not just an appetizer.
  • Adding fresh bean sprouts on top provides a nice crunch to the otherwise very soft texture. Use a small handful of bean sprouts per bowl of soup.
  • Add your favorite hot sauce to spice up the soup. A dash of Sriracha or a pinch of cayenne makes a great variation.
  • Cook 1 cup of shiitake mushrooms with the broth. Once they have browned a little, proceed with the rest of the recipe. For this variation, we recommend adding 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free diets) instead of salt.

Can I Reheat Egg Drop Soup?

Yes, but that doesn't mean you should. Egg drop soup is best eaten right away because the egg is still soft and creamy. Once it's been in the hot soup for a while it firms up some, and once the soup is cold, the texture goes from airy to foamy. If you were to reheat egg drop soup, the egg would be even harder, with a rubbery mouthfeel.

Delicious Chinese Restaurant-Style Soups

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
54Calories
3g Fat
2g Carbs
5g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3to 4
Amount per serving
Calories54
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g4%
Saturated Fat 1g4%
Cholesterol 98mg33%
Sodium 1106mg48%
Total Carbohydrate 2g1%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg7%
Calcium 30mg2%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 100mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Tomato
  • egg drop soup
  • side dish
  • chinese

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Love Egg Drop Soup? Here's a Super Easy Recipe to Try at Home (2024)

FAQs

Is egg drop soup good for upset stomach? ›

Yes, egg drop soup is often considered soothing for an upset stomach. Its mild flavor and easy-to-digest ingredients, like eggs and broth, can provide comfort and nourishment.

What is egg drop soup made of? ›

Egg drop soup is a popular takeout staple at Chinese restaurants made with wispy beaten eggs in chicken broth. It's normally seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper, thickened with a cornstarch slurry, and garnished with chopped green onions.

How do you get the ribbon in egg drop soup? ›

Once you've made your egg mixture, just follow these steps.
  1. Turn off the heat.
  2. Slowly drizzle in your egg mixture with a soup spoon in a circular motion.
  3. Let it sit for one minute.
  4. Stir to break up your glorious egg ribbons.
Jun 21, 2023

What does egg drop soup translate to in English? ›

Egg drop soup, also known as egg flower soup, (Chinese: 蛋花湯; pinyin: Dànhuātāng) is a Chinese soup of wispy beaten eggs in chicken broth. Condiments such as black or white pepper, and finely chopped scallions and tofu, are commonly added to the soup.

What kills stomach virus? ›

There's often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren't effective against viruses. Treatment first involves self-care measures, such as staying hydrated.

What soup stops diarrhea? ›

Try light meals of clear soups, such as chicken soup or bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water. Drink plenty of fluids to replace what you are losing with diarrhea. Stay hydrated by sipping clear liquids throughout the day. High-protein foods, such as skinless chicken or scrambled eggs.

How long does homemade egg drop soup last? ›

How to Store Egg Drop Soup. Store your leftover egg drop soup for up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Are there any benefits to egg drop soup? ›

Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall cellular health. Easy to digest: Being mostly liquid and containing soft, cooked ingredients, egg drop soup is a great option for someone whose appetite is impaired by illness and who can't handle large, rich meals.

How do you thicken egg soup? ›

Occasionally, a soup recipe will call for beaten eggs as a thickening agent. Both whole eggs and yolks can be used. To avoid curdling the eggs, start by drizzling about ½ cup of the hot broth into the eggs, stirring vigorously while you pour. Then add the egg mixture to the soup and cook until thickened.

Why is my egg drop soup so thin? ›

It's okay if you have to adjust while cooking – if it's too thin, add more cornstarch. If it's too thick, add more water, stock, or broth.

Why is my egg drop soup so thick? ›

Egg Drop Soup is a chicken broth based Chinese soup often thickened with cornstarch and seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and green onions. A beaten egg is stirred in the hot soup and makes the soup thick with beautiful egg ribbons.

Why is my egg drop soup cloudy? ›

If you like smaller egg “flowers”, stir the soup and pour the egg at the same time to create those small pedals of flavor! Another key tip - make sure the soup isn't too hot when pouring the egg, otherwise the soup will become cloudy.

Can you eat leftover egg drop soup? ›

Leftover egg drop soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 to 4 days before reheating. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. Can I freeze egg drop soup for later reheating? Yes, you can freeze egg drop soup for later reheating.

Is it good to eat egg drop soup everyday? ›

Egg drop soup is quite healthy. Egg drop soup calories and carbohydrates are low, which makes the dish good for people watching their weight. While the chicken broth and eggs are nutritious, this soup has the drawback of being high in sodium. However, you can reduce the saltiness by making the dish at home.

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch for egg drop soup? ›

Yes, you can substitute flour for cornstarch in egg drop soup, but it may slightly alter the texture and clarity of the broth. It's also not a common substitute used in Chinese soup recipes, Use less flour as it's denser.

Is egg drop soup good for upset stomach diarrhea? ›

A: No, but you may want to have two or three bowls of egg drop soup per day. The eggs it is made with are rich in albumin, a protein that is easily digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. Albumin helps maintain the balance of water in the bloodstream and body tissues.

Is Chinese soup good for upset stomach? ›

Soup with ginger and bok choy is among the list of options for the best Chinese soup for upset stomachs. This soul-filling soup is full of nutrition. In case of stomach infection, bok choy helps to replenish the lost nutrients. On the other hand, ginger helps to speed up digestion and cure an infection.

What soup is best after upset stomach? ›

Here's our list of soups that put their feel-good magic to work!
  • Chicken Noodle Soup.
  • Asian-Inspired Zoodle Flu Buster Soup.
  • Harvest Vegetable Soup.
  • Butternut Squash Soup.
  • Tomato Basil Soup.
  • Coconut Curry Soup.
  • Creamy Corn and Potato Chowder.
  • Poblano Chicken Chowder.
Oct 19, 2023

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