Learn how to make your own Chinese Egg Drop Soup! With just a few ingredients and simple steps, it's never been easier to make this popular, restaurant-style soup. And, it's ready in just 15 minutes!
If you're craving a bowl of cozy soup during these chilly months, this velvety Egg Drop Soup is just what you need! It's easy, satisfying, nourishing, and healthy.
What is egg drop soup?
Egg Drop Soup is a chicken broth-based Chinese soup, often thickened with cornstarch (or flour) and seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, and green onions. Raw eggs are lightly beaten, and then swirled into the hot broth to make egg ribbons. In China, egg drop soup is also called "egg flower soup," as the eggs appear petal-like when they float.
Read more about the origins of Chinese egg drop soup!
In This Article:
Here's another delicious and easy Chinese soup recipe that's way better than takeout, my Easy Wonton Soup. This classic Chinese soup is full of healthy vegetables and homemade miso broth that's ready in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients in Chinese egg drop soup
This recipe includes simple ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen! Here's what you'll need:
[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]
- Organic chicken broth or stock (homemade or store-bought). This is the base for the soup. You can use vegetable broth as well.
- Salt. Not too much, but just enough for a bit of saltiness.
- White pepper. Adds a nice pepperiness to the flavor.
- Sugar. Just enough for a hint of sweetness.
- Turmeric powder. Just a bit to give this egg drop soup that beautiful yellow coloring.
- Reduced-sodium soy sauce. For extra Asian flavoring, without too much saltiness.
- Sesame oil. Adds a toasted nuttiness to the soup.
- Eggs. The star of the recipe! Adds healthy protein also.
- Scallions. Most Chinese Egg Drop Soup recipes use scallions for the garnish.
To thicken the egg drop soup, make a slurry of cornstarch and water using a whisk. Then, slowly stir it into the soup until desired thickness.
Variations and substitutions
- Turmeric powder. The turmeric powder gives this soup a beautiful yellow color. However, a lot of recipes call for yellow food coloring instead. I do not like using food coloring. It's artificial and not natural. Turmeric powder is also really good for you!
- Make this vegetarian. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Make this gluten free. Use gluten-free soy sauce or liquid aminos to make this soup gluten free.
- Make this keto. Use xanthum gum instead of cornstarch to make the slurry, and use a little more sesame oil. You can also use bone broth.
- Add more protein. Try adding in tofu or chicken for extra protein.
- Add more veggies. Mushrooms and corn would also be delicious in this egg drop soup.
- For some crunch. You can add wonton noodles or toasted seaweed strips, for example, for a crunchy topping.
How to make Chinese egg drop soup
[*See recipe card for more detailed instructions.]
Follow these simple steps to make this easy, restaurant-style, Chinese Egg Drop Soup recipe!
1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil and lower to a simmer.
2. Add in the salt, pepper, turmeric powder, and soy sauce.
3. Place three eggs in a small bowl.
4. Lightly beat the eggs.
5. Slowly add in the cornstarch slurry, stirring frequently until desired thickness.
6. Drizzle in the eggs in batches in a circular motion, using a soup ladle to create the egg ribbons.
⭐️PRO TIP: Beat the eggs very lightly! If you over-beat the eggs, it won't result in the beautiful flower swirls.
7. Lastly, add in the sesame oil and sliced scallions. Garnish the soup with extra scallions and serve while hot.
What goes well with egg drop soup?
Chinese Egg Drop Soup is the perfect starter for an Asian meal. Here are some delicious and easy recipes to serve with this soup:
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp
- Easy Chinese Chicken Salad
- Chinese Curry Chicken
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Easy Pork Potstickers
Storing and reheating leftovers
How to store. You can store the egg drop soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
How to reheat. Reheat on a stovetop over low heat, or in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
Common FAQ's
Yes! This soup has so many healing benefits, and is a great option for when you're feeling a cold coming on. It's hot, soothing, and steams the sinuses. It's also packed with protein.
One cup of egg drop soup only contains about 70 calories per serving (more if you add in extra proteins, like tofu, chicken, or turkey). It's an excellent choice if you're watching your calorie intake!
Want more easy soup recipes?
If you liked this Chinese Egg Drop Soup recipe, you're going to want these easy soup recipes too!
- Miso Soup with Tofu
- Easy Wonton Soup
- Easy Spiced Pumpkin Coconut Soup
- Ginger and Turmeric Cauliflower Soup
- Classic Hot and Sour Soup
Browse all of my delicious soup recipes!
Recipe notes
- Taste-test the broth before adding the eggs to make sure the seasoning is to your liking. You can always add salt, but you cannot take it away!
- Add in the cornstarch slurry a little bit at a time, stirring frequently as you go. Stop at desired thickness.
- Lightly beat the eggs. Over-beating will not create the beautiful egg ribbons.
- Drizzle in the eggs in batches in a circular motion, using a soup ladle to create the egg ribbons.
Chinese Egg Drop Soup Recipe
Learn how to make your own Chinese Egg Drop Soup! With just a few ingredients and simple steps, it's never been easier to make this popular, restaurant-style soup. And, it's ready in just 15 minutes!
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups organic chicken broth
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅓ cup water (room temperature)
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 scallions, sliced
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth to a medium-sized soup pot and bring to a boil. Then, lower to a simmer.
- To the broth, add in the salt, sugar, pepper, turmeric powder, and soy sauce. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth to make the slurry. Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the broth in batches, stirring along the way, until desired thickness.
- Very lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl. To the broth, slowly drizzle in the beaten eggs using a soup ladle. Do this in batches while swirling the eggs with the ladle each time until egg ribbons form.
- Add in the sesame oil and half of the scallions. Gently stir to combine.
- Spoon the egg drop soup into bowls and garnish with the extra scallions. Serve while hot.
Notes
- Taste-test the broth before adding the eggs to make sure the seasoning is to your liking. You can always add salt, but you cannot take it away!
- Add in the cornstarch slurry a little bit at a time, stirring frequently as you go. Stop at desired thickness.
- Lightly beat the eggs. Over-beating will not create the beautiful egg ribbons.
- Drizzle in the eggs in batches in a circular motion, using a soup ladle to create the egg ribbons.
Watch a short video of this recipe.
*Recipe adapted from The Woks of Life.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 66
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 1014.9 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
- Cholesterol: 96.3 mg
Deb Winick says
Excellent and easy soup to make especially on a weeknight. We enjoyed this very much.
Asian Inspired Eats says
So glad you enjoyed this easy, egg drop soup, Deb! It's such a simple recipe. I appreciate your feedback!😘
Laurel Schwartz says
This was easy to make and delicious!
Asian Inspired Eats says
So glad you like this, Laurel! It's one of our faves.
Cherrie Broadmore says
This was just the easiest soup I ever made! I’ve been wanting to make egg drop soup for years, but didn’t realize how easy it was! And so yum! 😋
Asian Inspired Eats says
So happy you loved the recipe! It truly is one of the easiest soups to make.😍