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 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 soup 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.

How does egg drop soup taste? ›

The best egg drop soup, on the other hand, should have a clear, ever-so-slightly thickened broth with the intense flavor of chicken, supported by a hint of the sweet depth of Chinese ham. You should taste ginger or scallion from the broth itself, but their aroma should waft up along with the steam from the bowl.

What is the healthiest soup from a Chinese restaurant? ›

Egg Drop Soup

Of the soups commonly found on Chinese restaurant menus, egg drop is the healthiest. Totally starving when you walk into a Chinese restaurant? Order soup as an appetizer, and egg drop is tops. "It's really made with eggs, so it does offer quite a bit of protein," says London.

What is the best Chinese soup to order? ›

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.

Why is restaurant egg drop soup so yellow? ›

I like to drizzle sesame oil at the end for the nutty flavor. Turmeric or Yellow Food Coloring: Most restaurants use yellow food coloring or turmeric to make the Egg Drop Soup look more appetizing.

Are there any benefits to egg drop soup? ›

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. You can further boost the soup's protein content by adding shredded, cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Is egg drop soup good for your stomach? ›

Yes, egg drop soup is often considered soothing for an upset stomach.

Can I eat egg drop soup everyday? ›

Yes. It's very low calorie and packed with protein. One bowl of soup (about 1 cup) is only 71 calories.

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 least healthiest soup? ›

Clam chowder nutrition

And Walsh agrees, “Clam chowder is one of the worst soups a person can eat. It's high in fat, calories and sodium.” There is 180 calories in a cup of clam chowder. The macronutrient breakdown in a cup of clam chowder is 20 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein.

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 gelatinous? ›

Why is my egg drop soup so thick? If prepared properly, egg drop soup should be thick with a rich and creamy mouthfeel. It shouldn't, however, be so thick that it's practically gelatinous. A soup that's too thick likely means you used too much cornstarch or the swirl-and-pour technique was done incorrectly.

Is egg drop soup supposed to be gooey? ›

If it is runny you can add in more corn starch, flour, or other thickeners that you prefer. Egg Drop Soup should be a clear, creamy color with a thick texture with a white-looking ribbon that floats in the soup.

What are the benefits of Chinese egg drop soup? ›

This soup has so many healing benefits and is a great option for when you're feeling a cold coming on, inflamed from eating too much junk food, to help alleviate sinus pressure, cramps and many other uncomfortable situations. The bone broth is also great for your gut health and helps with digestive issues.

What are the health benefits of Chinese egg drop soup? ›

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. You can further boost the soup's protein content by adding shredded, cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Is soup from a Chinese restaurant healthy? ›

Best: Soups

Wonton, egg drop, or hot and sour? Take your pick. 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.

How many calories are in Chinese take out egg drop soup? ›

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

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