A quick Chinese egg drop soup — a savoury chicken broth with peas and mushrooms, thickened and swirled with ribbons of egg. Comforting and ready in minutes.
Egg drop soup is the ultimate fifteen-minute comfort in a bowl: a silky, savoury broth laced with delicate ribbons of egg. The magic is all in the technique — a slow pour and gentle stir transform a beaten egg into soft, feathery threads. It's light, soothing and endlessly adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Prep 5 min
Cook 10 min
Total 15 min
Easy
- 3 cups Chicken Stock
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
- pinch Pepper
- 1 tsp Sesame Seed Oil
- 1/3 cup Peas
- 1/3 cup Mushrooms
- 1 tbs Cornstarch
- 2 tbs Water
- 1/4 cup Spring Onions
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Preparation
- Add the chicken broth to a wok and bring to the boil.
- Add the salt, sugar, white pepper and sesame oil.
- Once boiling, add the vegetables.
- Whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water and slowly stir into the soup until it reaches the thickness you like.
- Slowly pour in 1 slightly beaten egg, stirring for 8 seconds to form ribbons.
- Serve in a bowl topped with the spring onions.
Tips from the ZestyPlate Kitchen
- Pour the beaten egg in a thin, steady stream while gently stirring the broth in one direction for the prettiest ribbons.
- Make sure the soup is at a gentle simmer when the egg goes in — too hot scrambles it, too cool muddies the broth.
- Add the cornstarch slurry gradually until you reach a silky body that just coats the spoon; you may not need all of it.
- A few drops of sesame oil at the end add wonderful aroma — add it off the heat so it doesn't turn bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer, pour the egg slowly in a thin stream, and stir slowly. Pouring too fast or stirring vigorously breaks it into cloudy specks.
Yes — swap the chicken stock for a good vegetable stock. The peas and mushrooms keep it satisfying.
Usually from over-stirring or boiling the egg in too hard. A gentle hand and a gentle simmer keep the broth clear.
Sweetcorn, tofu, shredded chicken or a handful of greens all work beautifully without changing the spirit of the dish.
