Suan La Tang (Authentic Hot and Sour Soup)
It is very different from the taste of Japan! Authentic spicy soup with white pepper baking
Description
Famous in Japan, but authentic Suan La Tang doesn't use 'red chili oil or Doubanjiang' for heat. Instead, it relies on 'massive amounts of white pepper' for a throat-burning warmth, and pitch-black Zhenjiang Vinegar for a rich, mellow tartness.
Restaurants serving Suan La Tang (Authentic Hot and Sour Soup)
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Tofu
- Wood ear mushrooms
- Bamboo shoots
- Pork
- Egg
- Zhenjiang Vinegar(Black vinegar)
- White pepper powder
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Julienne tofu, bamboo shoots, wood ears, and lean pork into hair-thin strands (Si) of exact equal thickness. Lightly coat pork in starch.
- Boil premium clear chicken broth (Qing Tang), add the ingredients, and season base with salt and soy.
- Add starch slurry to create a strong thickness (thickening now prevents the vinegar added later from evaporating).
- Slowly drizzle in beaten eggs in a fine thread to bloom beautiful 'Egg Flowers' (Dan Hua).
- The Authentic Secret: In the serving bowl, place
- tbsp 'Zhenjiang Black Vinegar',
- tbsp 'White Pepper Powder', and sesame oil.
- Pour the boiling hot soup aggressively into the bowl, instantly mixing the vinegar and pepper at the bottom. Top with cilantro.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Massive white pepper powder、Zhenjiang Vinegar richness
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Making it with Japanese grain vinegar and chili oil ruins the authenticity)
Pairing
Fried Rice / Boiled Dumplings / All greasy dishes
Trivia
[Trivia] Japanese versions use 'grain vinegar and chili oil', but Chinese chefs strictly dictate that 'the La (heat) in Suan La Tang MUST come from white pepper'.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Sip from a spoon: first, the rich tartness of black vinegar hits, then as you swallow, the vivid heat of white pepper burns the back of your throat. The perfect reset for greasy food.
Allergen
Soybeans, Wheat, Eggs, Pork