Dan Hua Tang
Chinese Egg Drop Soup
A classic Chinese comfort food, Dan Hua Tang is a simple yet elegant soup featuring delicate ribbons of silken egg suspended in a savory, aromatic chicken broth. It's quick to prepare and perfect for a light meal or starter.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 L Chicken stock(Use good quality low-sodium chicken stock for best flavor.)
- 2 Eggs(Large eggs, at room temperature.)
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch(Also known as cornflour.)
- 2 tbsp Water(For making the cornstarch slurry.)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil(Toasted sesame oil for maximum aroma.)
- 2 Scallions(Green parts only, thinly sliced for garnish.)
- 1/4 tsp White pepper(Adjust to taste. Freshly ground is best.)
- to taste Salt(Optional, depending on the saltiness of your stock.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water until completely smooth and no lumps remain. Set aside.
⏱️ 1 minute - 2
Heat the chicken stock: Pour the chicken stock into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Thicken the broth: Give the cornstarch slurry a quick re-whisk, then slowly pour it into the simmering chicken stock while stirring constantly. Continue to stir for about 1 minute until the broth thickens slightly and becomes clearer. You should see a subtle change in consistency.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Prepare the eggs: While the broth is simmering, crack the eggs into a separate medium bowl. Beat them vigorously with a fork or whisk until the yolks and whites are fully combined and the mixture is uniformly yellow. Avoid over-beating, which can make the egg ribbons tough.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Add the egg ribbons: Reduce the heat to low, ensuring the broth is just barely simmering (not boiling vigorously). Slowly drizzle the beaten eggs in a thin, steady stream into the soup. Use a chopstick or fork to gently swirl the soup in one direction as you pour. This creates the characteristic delicate egg ribbons. Let the egg cook undisturbed for about 30 seconds to set.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Finish and serve: Gently stir the soup once more to separate any clumps of egg. Stir in the toasted sesame oil and white pepper. Taste and add salt if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish generously with the thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For the best egg ribbons, ensure the broth is simmering gently, not boiling rapidly, when you add the eggs. A vigorous boil will break the ribbons into small pieces.
- ✓Stirring the soup in one consistent direction as you drizzle the egg helps create long, elegant ribbons.
- ✓The final soup should have a silky, smooth texture with delicate, wispy strands of egg.
- ✓Adjust the amount of white pepper to your preference; it adds a subtle warmth and spice.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a small amount of finely diced tomato along with the chicken stock in step 2 for a touch of color and acidity.
- For a heartier soup, add cooked corn kernels and shredded cooked crab meat (or imitation crab) in step 5, just before adding the egg.
- A splash of soy sauce can be added with the sesame oil for an extra layer of umami.