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When I think of Chinese soups, I think of balance. They can be a light start to a meal, a soothing remedy, or a hearty one-pot dinner all on their own. I love how they are often clear and clean-tasting, focusing on the broth and fresh ingredients.
Making them at home feels like a simple way to bring real comfort to my kitchen. Here are 21 classic Chinese soup recipes I enjoy for their authentic taste and comforting warmth.
They are foundational, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to prepare.
1. Hot and Sour Soup (Suan La Tang)
A thick, bracing broth with tofu, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and egg ribbons, balanced with vinegar and white pepper. I make this when I want something invigorating.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
2. Wonton Soup (Hun Tun Tang)
Clear chicken broth with delicate pork and shrimp-filled wontons and a few leaves of bok choy. It’s a simple, elegant classic.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
3. Egg Drop Soup (Dan Hua Tang)
Silky ribbons of egg in a seasoned chicken broth, gently thickened with cornstarch. It’s my ultimate quick and easy soup.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 7g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
4. Chinese Corn Soup (Su Mi Tang)
A creamy, velvety soup made from creamed corn, with shredded chicken and egg swirled in. It’s gently sweet and comforting.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
5. Winter Melon Soup (Dong Gua Tang)
A clear, light broth with chunks of mild winter melon, sometimes with goji berries and shredded pork. It’s incredibly refreshing.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 2g
6. Bok Choy and Tofu Soup (Qing Cai Dou Fu Tang)
A clean, vegetarian soup with soft tofu and baby bok choy in a clear ginger and garlic broth.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
7. Sichuan Hot Pot Broth (Hong Guo Tang)
A intensely spicy and numbing broth flavored with Sichuan peppercorns and chili bean paste, used for cooking meats and vegetables at the table.
Nutrition per serving (broth only):
- Calories: 70
- Protein: 2g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
8. Chicken and Mushroom Soup (Ji Tang Gu)
A nourishing soup with chicken pieces, dried shiitake mushrooms, and goji berries, simmered for hours until the flavor is deep.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
9. West Lake Beef Soup (Xi Hu Niu Rou Geng)
A velvety, slightly thick soup with minced beef, egg white, and cilantro in a mild broth. It’s smooth and savory.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
10. Chinese Spinach and Tofu Soup (Bo Cai Dou Fu Tang)
Tender spinach and silken tofu in a light, clear broth. I finish it with a few drops of sesame oil.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 11g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 4g
11. Drunken Chicken Soup (Zui Ji Tang)
A distinctive soup where chicken is poached in a broth with Chinese rice wine, giving it a rich, aromatic flavor.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
12. Pork Rib and Watercress Soup (Pai Gu Cai Geng Tang)
Pork ribs simmered with fresh watercress until the broth is savory and the meat is falling off the bone.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
13. Chinese Fish Soup (Yu Pian Tang)
Thin slices of white fish poached in a ginger and scallion broth. It’s light, delicate, and very quick to make.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
14. Tomato Egg Drop Soup (Fan Qie Dan Hua Tang)
The classic egg drop soup with diced tomatoes added for a touch of sweetness and acidity. It’s a family-style favorite.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
15. Lotus Root and Pork Soup (Lian Ou Pai Gu Tang)
Crisp slices of lotus root and pork ribs simmered into a sweet, earthy broth. The texture of the lotus root is wonderful.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 5g
16. Chicken Ginseng Soup (Ren Shen Ji Tang)
A restorative soup with a whole small chicken, ginseng root, and red dates, simmered for hours. It’s deeply nourishing.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
17. Sizzling Rice Soup (Guo Ba Tang)
A clear soup with shrimp, vegetables, and mushrooms, poured tableside over crispy, deep-fried rice cakes that sizzle and crackle.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
18. Chinese Mustard Green and Pork Soup (Zha Cai Rou Si Tang)
A savory and slightly sour soup with shredded pork and pickled mustard greens. It’s very appetizing.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
19. Abalone and Mushroom Soup (Bao Yu Gu Tang)
A luxurious, delicate soup often served for special occasions, featuring abalone and dried black mushrooms in a supreme broth.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 3g
20. Bean Curd Skin Soup (Fu Zhu Tang)
Dried bean curd sticks and wood ear mushrooms rehydrated in a light, savory vegetarian broth. It has a wonderful, chewy texture.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 5g
21. Simple Congee (Zhou)
Rice simmered in a large amount of water or broth until it breaks down into a thick, porridge-like soup. It’s the most basic and comforting food I know.
Nutrition per serving (plain):
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
