Egg Drop Soup (Better than Restaurant Quality!) (2024)

Believe it or not, you can make restaurant-worthy egg drop soup at home with this top-rated recipe!

What Is Egg Drop Soup?

Egg drop soup (or egg flower soup) is a Chinese soup that features silky strands of eggs in chicken broth. The beaten egg is whisked into the boiling broth at the end of cooking, creating delicate strands or flakes that float on top of the broth. It often has seasonings (like salt and white pepper), tofu, and/or some sort of green garnish.

Traditional Chinese egg drop soups tend to have a thinner consistency than Western versions.

How to Make Egg Drop Soup

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Egg Drop Soup Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this egg drop soup recipe:

  • Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth.
  • Sauces and oils: Soy sauce and sesame oil lend savory, umami-rich flavor.
  • Water and cornstarch: A water and cornstarch slurry is optional, but it slightly thickens the soup (this is typical of Western variants).
  • Egg: It wouldn’t be “egg drop soup” without an egg!
  • Food coloring: You can make the yellow hue more vibrant with food coloring, but it’s not necessary.
  • Seasonings: Simply season the egg drop soup with salt and white pepper if you like.
  • Chives: Garnish each serving with fresh chives for a pop of bright flavor and color.

How to Make Homemade Egg Drop Soup

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this restaurant-quality egg drop soup at home:

  1. Boil the broth with the soy sauce and sesame oil.
  2. Pour the slurry and food coloring into the boiling broth (if using).
  3. Slowly pour in the beaten egg and season.

What to Serve With Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup works well as a light entrée, but it is traditionally served as a side dish or appetizer with other Chinese or Asian fare. Try one of these delicious ideas:

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.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This was quick, easy, and delicious,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “Sometimes I triple the ingredients and add some Filini to it (but any small pasta will work) to make it a little more hearty and my family loves it!”

“Very tasty and so easy,” according to Bj King. “I did not use food coloring and I added powdered bullion for extra flavor.”

“This is a go-to recipe,” says Lisa Russ-Hiatt. “Easy and you can adjust the added ingredients to your taste. It tastes just as good as takeout, especially when I make homemade Crab Rangoon in my air fryer!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Egg Drop Soup (Better than Restaurant Quality!) (2024)

FAQs

Is egg drop soup from Chinese restaurant good for you? ›

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.

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.

Why is Chinese egg drop soup so thick? ›

Beating the eggs with cornstarch before adding to the broth thickens them so they will be evenly distributed throughout the broth.

Which is healthier, egg drop or wonton soup? ›

Choosing the Healthiest Soup

Both egg drop and wonton soups are among the better options if you are trying to eat healthy at a Chinese restaurant. A cup of egg drop soup contains 65 calories and only 1.5 grams of fat, while a cup of wonton soup provides 71 calories but only 0.6 grams of fat.

What is the healthiest Chinese takeout soup? ›

Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup

Both soups are low in calories — containing only 65–90 calories per 1-cup (240 mL) serving — and you can make them even healthier by avoiding the fried lo mein noodles that are often offered as a topping ( 2 , 3 ).

What is the healthiest Chinese food to order? ›

12 Healthiest Chinese Food Dishes, According to Registered...
  • Moo Goo Gai Pan. This Cantonese dish has it all! ...
  • Szechuan Tofu. This vegan szechuan dish is fire—and not just because it's spicy. ...
  • Shrimp with Broccoli in Garlic Sauce. ...
  • Beef and Broccoli. ...
  • Spring Rolls. ...
  • Sichuan Cucumber Salad. ...
  • Lo Mein with Veggies or Protein.
Aug 31, 2022

What broth is egg drop soup made of? ›

So What Is Egg Drop Soup? In case this recipe is new to you, egg drop soup is a staple at Chinese restaurants across the United States. It's typically made with lightly-seasoned chicken or veggie broth, and filled with delicious egg “ribbons”, which are created by whisking raw eggs into the simmering broth.

Why is my egg drop soup so thin? ›

It's okay if you have to adjust while cooking – if it's too thin, add more cornstarch. If it's too thick, add more water, stock, or broth.

Is egg drop soup good for stomach issues? ›

is egg drop soup good for upset stomach? Yes, egg drop soup is often considered soothing for an upset stomach. Its mild flavor and easy-to-digest ingredients, like eggs and broth, can provide comfort and nourishment.

Why is restaurant egg drop soup so 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).

What do Chinese restaurants use to thicken soup? ›

Corn starch, also known as cornflour, is a fine white powder made from corn. It is a common ingredient in many Chinese dishes because of its unique ability to thicken sauces and soups without altering the flavor of the dish.

How many days is egg drop soup good for? ›

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.

What is the best Chinese soup? ›

So, without any further ado, let us look at some of the best Chinese soups that you can have this winter.
  1. Hot and Sour Soup. ...
  2. Sweet Corn Soup. ...
  3. Mushroom Soup. ...
  4. Wonton Soup. ...
  5. Egg Drop Soup.

Which Chinese soup is best for a cold? ›

Egg drop soup is perfect for this time of year. Quick to make, easy on a sore throat and this version is full of aromatics and anti-oxidents to help get you back on your feet.

Is egg drop soup good as leftovers? ›

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 soup from a Chinese restaurant healthy? ›

Best: Soups

Each typically has fewer than 100 calories per cup. Plus, the broth helps fill you up, so you won't eat as much of the heavier dishes. One study found that people who started their lunch with broth-based soup ate 20% less than those who didn't. Hold off on the crispy wonton topping, though.

How many calories are in egg drop soup from Chinese restaurants? ›

There are 65 calories in a 1 cup (241.000g) serving size of Soup, egg drop, Chinese restaurant.

Is it OK to eat egg drop soup? ›

IS EGG DROP SOUP HEALTHY? Yes. It's very low calorie and packed with protein! One bowl of soup (about 1 cup) is only 71 calories.

Is soup from Chinese healthy? ›

Chinese soups have many health and nutritional benefits on top of allowing your guest to feel full and satisfied. Remember to experiment with traditional and non-traditional herbs and ingredients and encourage your diners to give Chinese soups a try over their usual menu picks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6305

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.