Chinese Scallop Soup Recipe

Chinese Scallop Soup is a luxurious, aromatic, and deeply flavorful dish that has long been adored in Chinese cuisine, particularly in coastal regions. Scallops, known for their delicate sweetness and tender texture, form the heart of this soup, while the broth, often made from a blend of herbs, seasonings, and sometimes even seafood, elevates the dish to an experience. The delicate yet rich flavors of this soup make it an excellent choice for special occasions, as well as a comforting meal for colder months.

The beauty of Chinese Scallop Soup lies not only in its vibrant, refreshing taste but also in its versatility. Whether you’re making it for a quiet dinner at home or as part of a larger Chinese feast, this dish is sure to impress with its combination of tender scallops and savory, aromatic broth. It’s a perfect example of how simplicity in ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can yield a dish that’s both nourishing and indulgent.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to create a delicious and authentic Chinese Scallop Soup, from the recipe itself to expert tips, variations, and more!

Chinese Scallop Soup Recipe

This Chinese Scallop Soup recipe is easy to follow, and it’s designed to keep the scallops the star of the show, while the broth complements them perfectly. It’s a recipe that will leave you feeling satisfied yet light, thanks to the clean, simple ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

• Fresh Scallops: About 12-15 large, fresh scallops. These will bring that natural sweetness and delicate texture that are the key to the soup’s appeal.
• Chicken or Pork Broth: 4 cups. A good-quality broth acts as the base of the soup and provides that essential depth of flavor.
• Ginger: 3-4 slices. Fresh ginger adds warmth and a bit of zing to the soup.
• Goji Berries: 1-2 tablespoons. These small red berries offer a hint of sweetness and are packed with nutrients.
• Chinese Mushrooms (Shiitake or Wood Ear): 3-4 dried or 6-7 fresh. These mushrooms provide an earthy, umami-rich flavor.
• Chinese Rice Wine (Shaoxing wine): 1-2 tablespoons. This traditional wine adds an extra layer of depth to the broth.
• Scallions: 2 stalks, chopped. Scallions add a sharp, fresh flavor that balances out the richness of the soup.
• Salt: To taste.
• White Pepper: To taste. This is typically used to season the broth without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
• Sesame Oil: A few drops for garnish. Sesame oil provides a rich, nutty finish to the soup.

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare The Broth

   • If you’re using fresh chicken or pork broth, bring it to a gentle simmer in a large pot. If you’re using store-bought broth, heat it up over medium heat, and add a few slices of ginger.
   • Add the ginger to the broth and let it infuse for about 10-15 minutes. The goal here is to allow the ginger to soften and release its aromatic oils into the liquid.

2. Rehydrate The Mushrooms

   • If using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 15-20 minutes, until they are tender and rehydrated. Slice them thinly once they’ve softened.

3. Prepare The Scallops

   • Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This helps them maintain a nice texture when cooked.
   • If you like, you can lightly score the surface of each scallop to allow the flavors to penetrate a bit more.

4. Cook The Soup

   • Once the broth is simmering and the ginger flavor has melded in, add the rehydrated mushrooms and goji berries to the pot.
   • Allow the mushrooms to soften for about 5 minutes before adding the scallops. Scallops cook quickly, so you don’t want to add them too early.
   • Add the scallops to the pot, along with a dash of Shaoxing wine. Let everything simmer gently for about 4-5 minutes. The scallops should turn a pearly white and firm up just a little.

5. Season And Garnish

   • Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper as necessary.
   • Once the soup is ready, garnish with chopped scallions and a few drops of sesame oil to finish off the dish.
   • Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Ingredient Insights

When it comes to a dish like Chinese Scallop Soup, the ingredients are just as important as the method of cooking. Each component serves a unique purpose in contributing to the overall flavor profile. Let’s dive deeper into the key ingredients:

• Scallops: Scallops are prized in Chinese cooking not just for their sweetness, but also for their texture. The delicate flesh of a scallop becomes even more tender when simmered gently, making it perfect for soup. Make sure to use fresh scallops for the best taste-frozen scallops can be a bit watery and less flavorful.
• Chicken or Pork Broth: Broth is the backbone of any soup. Using a homemade broth or high-quality store-bought stock will make a huge difference. Pork broth is common in Chinese soups because of its rich, deep flavor, but chicken broth is lighter and still full of savory goodness.
• Goji Berries: These bright red berries are loaded with antioxidants and are often used in Chinese soups and teas for their health benefits. Their subtle sweetness balances out the umami of the broth.
• Chinese Rice Wine (Shaoxing wine): This fermented rice wine is the quintessential ingredient in many Chinese dishes. It adds depth, complexity, and a slight sweetness to the broth that enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms (or wood ear mushrooms) add a savory, umami flavor that works beautifully with the delicate taste of the scallops. They also add a pleasant chewy texture to the soup.

Expert Tips

• Don’t Overcook the Scallops: Scallops cook quickly, so keep an eye on them. Overcooking can lead to tough, rubbery scallops, which will ruin the texture. Add them in last and simmer them just until they turn opaque.
• Enhance the Flavor with Aromatics: If you want to boost the flavor even further, try adding a few cloves of garlic or a small piece of dried tangerine peel (known as chenpi) during the simmering process. Both ingredients will elevate the broth with extra layers of fragrance.
• Adjust the Broth to Your Taste: If you prefer a richer, more robust broth, feel free to simmer the stock with more ginger or even a few dried scallops before adding your main ingredients.
• Control the Salt: Because the soup is naturally sweet and savory, it’s important to taste the broth before salting it. Since the goji berries and scallops bring some sweetness, you may want to use a lighter hand with salt.

Recipe Variations

While the traditional recipe is fantastic, there are a few variations you can try depending on your preferences or dietary restrictions:

• Vegan Version: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or pork stock, and swap out the scallops for king oyster mushrooms or tofu cubes to add some bite and texture.
• Add Noodles or Rice: For a heartier meal, you can add some thin Chinese noodles or steamed rice to the soup. This turns it into a one-bowl meal, perfect for colder evenings.
• Herb-Infused Broth: For a more aromatic version, infuse the broth with herbs like Chinese angelica root (dong quai), which is thought to have medicinal properties. You could also try adding a few sprigs of cilantro or Chinese basil towards the end for an herbal kick.

Final Words

Chinese Scallop Soup is not only a comforting dish but also a delightful journey through some of the finest flavors in Chinese cuisine. Its delicate balance of sweetness from the scallops, earthy mushrooms, and the subtle complexity of the broth makes it an unforgettable dish.

Whether you’re making this for a special occasion, a dinner party, or just treating yourself to something decadent, this soup is bound to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.