House Special Soup Recipe

House Special Soup, often a standout dish in many Chinese restaurants, is a delightful and flavorful concoction that captures the essence of savory, aromatic, and umami-rich flavors in every spoonful. Whether you’re enjoying it as a starter before your main course or as a standalone meal, this soup brings together a delightful combination of textures and tastes. It’s a dish that can vary from restaurant to restaurant, but the general idea remains the same – a broth-based soup filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and sometimes even a hint of sweetness or spice.

The beauty of House Special Soup is its versatility. You can adjust the recipe to suit your preferences, making it as hearty or as light as you want. The blend of ingredients makes it a warming, satisfying dish that works wonderfully during any season. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or simply craving something delicious and easy to prepare, this recipe can elevate your cooking experience.

In the following sections, we’ll dive deep into the details of creating a delicious House Special Soup from scratch, along with tips, ingredient breakdowns, and even some ideas for variations that you can play with. Let’s get started!

House Special Soup Recipe

This recipe delivers a hearty, rich broth brimming with succulent meats and fresh vegetables, creating a meal that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful. It’s a combination of tender chicken, shrimp, and pork (or beef), all mingling in a deliciously savory base. It’s the perfect balance of textures – the crispy vegetables, chewy meats, and delicate broth. Ready to dive in? Let’s take a look at the ingredients and steps that’ll bring this dish to life in your kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

To create a perfect House Special Soup, you need a selection of fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Broth

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (a good base is essential!)
  • 2 cups water (to dilute the broth and balance flavors)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for depth and saltiness)
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (adds brightness)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for umami and richness)

• Meats

  • 6 oz boneless chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 6 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 oz pork or beef, thinly sliced (optional)

• Vegetables

  • 1 medium carrot, julienned (adds color and crunch)
  • ½ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced (they provide a meaty, earthy flavor)
  • 1 cup bok choy or napa cabbage, chopped (for a tender, leafy texture)
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (for a touch of sweetness)
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced into thin half-moons (for lightness and mild flavor)

• Aromatics

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for that essential garlicky kick)
  • 1-inch piece ginger, minced (adds warmth and a slight spice)
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for a fresh, sharp contrast)

• Seasoning & Garnishes

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro leaves (optional for garnish)
  • Red pepper flakes or chili paste (optional, if you like a little heat)

Cooking Instructions

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s get to cooking! This soup is incredibly straightforward, and most of the work is in prepping the ingredients before putting everything together.

1. Prepare The Ingredients

   • Slice the meats, chop the vegetables, and mince the garlic and ginger. Set everything aside in separate bowls for easy access.

2. Make The Broth Base

   • In a large pot or stockpot, combine the chicken or vegetable broth with the water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and oyster sauce. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

3. Cook The Aromatics

   • Heat a tablespoon of sesame oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and green onions, sautéing until they become fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Then, pour this aromatic mixture into the simmering broth.

4. Cook The Meats

   • Add the sliced chicken, shrimp, and optional pork or beef to the broth. Let the proteins cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the shrimp turns a vibrant orange.

5. Add The Vegetables

   • Next, toss in the carrots, mushrooms, bok choy, zucchini, and onions. Let everything cook together for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.

6. Season And Adjust

   • Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Add salt, pepper, and more soy sauce if needed. If you want a little heat, now’s the time to add red pepper flakes or chili paste.

7. Serve

   • Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for an extra layer of flavor. Enjoy immediately!

Ingredient Insights

Understanding the role each ingredient plays in the soup can help you tweak it to your liking or make substitutions if needed.

• Broth: The foundation of the soup. It’s the first thing your palate will notice, so making sure it’s rich and flavorful is crucial. A high-quality chicken or vegetable broth makes a huge difference. You can even make your own if you have the time!
• Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and depth, grounding the soup’s flavor profile. The dark soy sauce offers a slight sweetness, while the light soy sauce will add salt without altering the color of the soup.
• Oyster Sauce: This is an essential ingredient for House Special Soup, bringing a natural umami flavor that ties the whole dish together. If you can’t find it, try substituting with hoisin sauce or a splash of fish sauce, but keep in mind the flavor profile might shift slightly.
• Vegetables: Each vegetable adds a unique texture and flavor. For example, bok choy is tender and slightly bitter, balancing the rich broth, while the zucchini keeps things light and fresh. Mushrooms contribute a savory depth.
• Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, and green onions provide the foundation of the soup’s fragrance. The combination of these three ingredients is what gives the soup that irresistible aroma.

Expert Tips

• Customize the meats: If you’re not a fan of pork or beef, you can skip them altogether or substitute them with tofu for a vegetarian version. The key is to balance the meats so each bite has a variety of textures.
• Low-Sodium Options: If you’re watching your sodium intake, opt for low-sodium soy sauce and broth. You can always increase the seasoning later to taste.
• Make it spicy: If you like a bit of heat, try adding some fresh chili slices to the broth or use chili oil as a garnish. A dash of sriracha works wonders too!
• Prepping ahead: The broth can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, so you can prep ahead if you’re in a rush.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian House Special Soup: Replace the meats with tofu, and use vegetable broth. Load up on extra vegetables like bell peppers, corn, and snow peas. You can even add a few handfuls of noodles to make it more filling.
• Seafood Special Soup: Make this soup with just seafood-shrimp, scallops, and fish fillets. This variation provides a cleaner, lighter taste while still being rich in flavors.
• Spicy House Special Soup: Add more red chili flakes, a splash of chili paste, or even a small bit of hot sauce to bring heat to the dish.
• Noodle House Special Soup: If you want a more filling dish, add noodles (egg noodles, ramen, or udon) into the soup for a heartier meal.

Final Words

Making your own House Special Soup means you can control the ingredients, the richness of the broth, and the balance of flavors. It’s a wonderfully flexible dish that can cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you’re after something hearty, light, or spicy, this recipe can adapt to what you need.