Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (2024)

In my parents’ Chinese restaurant, we used to make three soups every day withoutfail, and it was always the first thing we would do when we opened the restaurant. Wonton soup, hot and sour soup, and egg drop soup––the classic trio offered on every Chinese menu.

Making these soups during the winter months would help warm up the kitchen as we started our day, and, oftentimes, I would have a small cup of wonton soup broth or egg drop soup to start the day.

Of the three classics, everyone has their favorite, and a nice cup of soup before your favorite Chinese lunch special is always a welcome starter. My personal favorite is classic wonton soup, but I do like a good egg drop soup! We also added the newly popular Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup to the takeout menu, which is also another favorite of mine.

Note: This recipe was originally published in November 2015. We’ve taken new photos, re-tested and improved the recipe (reduced the amount of cornstarch slightly and added an extra 1/4 teaspoon salt), and added nutrition info and a recipe video!

What Is Egg Drop Soup?

The name “Egg Drop” comes from how the soup is made—dropping raw egg into hot soup. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.

But actually, the direct translation in Chinese is egg flower soup, because the egg creates large and small swirls in the soup in a flower-like pattern (scroll down to the recipe video below to see that in action).

There are many variations of egg drop soup, but this recipe is a classic restaurant-style egg drop soup that you can make at home.

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (1)

Why Make Egg Drop At Home?

So the 300-pound gorilla in the room is why make it at home when you can buy a small order for a buck fifty?

Well, since this recipe only takes 15 minutes, it’s actually faster than ordering it and picking it up!

Also, monosodium glutamate is used liberally to make these soups in most restaurants. (Though some restaurants these days do limit their use of MSG.)

We don’t have a problem with MSG, but if you want to be sure to skip it, you’re safest bet is to make your own. Use homemade chicken broth, store-bought organic chicken broth, or even vegetable broth. You can also season your egg drop soup to taste and even use organic eggs!

This restaurant-style egg drop souprecipeis so quick and easy to make that you probably could have made a bowl for yourself in the time it took me to write this post! (Although I have to admit, I am a very slow typist.)

Hope you enjoy this one!

Egg Drop Soup Recipe Instructions

Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a medium-sized soup pot.

Stir in the sesame oil, salt, sugar, and white pepper.

Add in the turmeric or yellow food coloring, if using. Using turmeric or yellow food coloring gives the soup that rich restaurant-style yellow color but this is optional.

Taste the soup, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (2)

Next add the cornstarch slurry.

Make sure to mix the cornstarch and water well, as the cornstarch settles very quickly. Stir the soup continuously as you drizzle in the slurry. Otherwise, you’ll get unpleasant clumps of cooked starch in your soup.

Use more or less starch if you like a thicker or thinner soup. You can also add the starch in a couple small batches. Let the soup simmer for a couple of minutes, then check to see if the consistency is to your liking.

For more detailed information on the many ways to use cornstarch to get authentic results at home with our recipes, see our post onHow to Use Cornstarch in Chinese Cooking.

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (3)

Now we’re ready for the most exciting part: the egg.

This recipe calls for the egg to be slightly beaten, which results in both white and yellow egg swirls. The speed at which you stir the soup when adding the egg also determines whether you get large “egg flowers” or small egg flowers (i.e. swirly bits of egg).

This is more a matter of personal preference than correctness. If you vary the speed at which you stir the soup, you’ll get both.

Some people even prefer chunks of egg in their soup, so do whatever suits your preferences!

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (4)

Once the soup’s consistency is to your liking, use a ladle to stir the soup in a circular motion, and slowly drizzle in the egg until you have added it all.

Ladle the soup in a bowl, top with scallions, and serve!

We served ours with a few fried wonton noodles:

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (5)
Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (6)

Watch video!

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Egg Drop Soup

This easy egg drop soup recipe will taste just like your favorite Chinese restaurant's egg drop soup (maybe a little better). It's delicious, and can be made in minutes.

by: Bill

Course:Soups and Stocks

Cuisine:Chinese

Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (7)

serves: 6

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 15 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken stock (about 1 liter, organic or homemade preferred!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (Or 5 drops yellow food coloring. Optional, but if you want "the look…")
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 1/3 cup water)
  • 3 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1 scallion (chopped)
  • 1/4 teaspoon MSG (increase amount to personal preference)

Instructions

  • Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a medium soup pot. Stir in the sesame oil, salt, sugar, white pepper, and MSG (if using). Add in the turmeric or 5 drops of yellow food coloring, if using. This will give the soup that rich restaurant-style yellow color, but it is optional. Taste the soup, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

  • Next add the cornstarch and water mixture. Make sure the cornstarch and water is mixed well, as the cornstarch settles very quickly. Stir the soup continuously as you drizzle in the slurry, or you'll get clumps of cooked starch in your soup. Use more or less starch if you like a thicker or thinner soup. You can also add the starch in a couple small batches, let the soup simmer for a couple of minutes, then check to see if the consistency is to your liking.

  • Now we're ready for the most exciting part: the egg. This recipe calls for the egg to be lightly beaten, which results in both white and yellow egg swirls. The speed at which you stir the soup when adding the egg also determines whether you get large “egg flowers” or small egg flowers (i.e. swirly bits of egg). Use a ladle to stir the soup in a circular motion, and slowly drizzle in the egg until you have added it all.

  • Ladle the soup into bowls, top with scallions, and serve!

nutrition facts

Calories: 109kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) Protein: 7g (14%) Fat: 4g (6%) Saturated Fat: 1g (5%) Cholesterol: 87mg (29%) Sodium: 551mg (23%) Potassium: 198mg (6%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 140IU (3%) Vitamin C: 0.7mg (1%) Calcium: 17mg (2%) Iron: 0.8mg (4%)

nutritional info disclaimer

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

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Egg Drop Soup: Authentic 15-Minute Recipe | The Woks of Life (2024)

FAQs

Why is my egg drop soup not yellow? ›

The bright yellow color is achieved naturally in this recipe with turmeric. Restaurant-style egg drop soup often uses yellow food dye to achieve that color. You can get a brighter yellow color naturally by adding more turmeric, and using pasture-raised eggs (which have a brighter yellow yolk).

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.

How do you get long ribbons in egg drop soup? ›

In order to get those signature ribbons, you have to pour your whisked eggs very, very slowly (but consistently) into the soup in a thin stream while whisking continuously. Use a whisk, or get authentic and stir continuously and fairly speedily with chopsticks.

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.

Why does my egg drop soup look like scrambled eggs? ›

Ensure the egg is being poured in a THIN, EVEN stream into the soup! This will also ensure the egg does not form into clumps and turn into scrambled eggs in the soup.

Is egg drop soup unhealthy? ›

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 to thicken egg drop soup? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken egg drop soup. You will want to use about half the amount of flour, so about 1.5 tablespoons. You still whisk it together with the water, soy sauce, etc. Your soup will have a cloudiness to it rather than that clear glossy look that cornstarch give.

What do Chinese use to thicken soup? ›

The main uses for cornstarch in Chinese cooking are: Marinating meats to create a velvety texture after stir-frying. Dredging foods prior to deep-frying to achieve a perfectly crispy result. Magically thickening soups, gravies, and stir-fry sauces.

Does sour cream help thicken soup? ›

Another option for thickening soup is by using dairy like sour cream or yogurt. Start with a small dollop and stir before checking the consistency and adding more. We recommend using plain yogurt so you don't alter the taste of the soup. You can also use cream if you prefer.

Can egg drop soup be saved? ›

Egg Drop Soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, it will last about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Why is egg drop soup so good? ›

Despite the speed and simplicity of its preparation, egg drop soup can pack a powerful nutritional punch. It is: Rich in Protein: Eggs, the main ingredient in egg drop soup, are an excellent source of high-quality protein, as is bone broth (homemade or store-bought), which usually contains 8-10 g protein per cup.

Can you eat day old 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 chicken stock the same as chicken broth? ›

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

Why is my boiled egg yolk not yellow? ›

When an egg is cooked for too long and/or at too high a temperature, the sulfur in the egg white combines with the iron in the yolk and creates ferrous sulfide, which has a green tint,” she explains. Unfortunately, this chemical reaction—which scientists call denaturation—isn't limited to hard-boiled eggs.

What if egg yolk is not yellow? ›

As the colour of the yolk is related to the hen's diet, it has little to do with the freshness of the egg. Whether the yolk is a vibrant or pale yellow, or even an orange deep in colour, all of these eggs are fresh and safe to eat.

Why is my egg yolk not very yellow? ›

The food a hen eats affects the yolk colour of her eggs. Generally speaking, if she eats a wheat-based diet, she lays eggs with pale yellow yolks. Feed that contains corn or alfalfa produces eggs with medium or darker yellow yolks.

How to get yellow color in chicken soup? ›

Ingredients like onions, carrots, and celery can contribute to a yellowish hue. Turmeric, a common spice used in some stock recipes, can also lend a yellow color. Cooking Time: The length of time the stock is simmered can influence its appearance.

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