Chinese Meatball Soup is a comforting, savory, and satisfying dish that brings together a symphony of flavors. With delicate, tender meatballs floating in a rich broth, it’s a perfect meal for cooler days, a cozy dinner, or even a light, hearty lunch. What makes this dish so captivating is its balance between the savory, umami flavor of the broth and the subtle, aromatic notes from ginger, garlic, and spring onions. The meatballs themselves are a blend of ground pork (or sometimes chicken) combined with seasonings like soy sauce, sesame oil, and Chinese five-spice powder-giving them both depth and complexity.
This soup is a great example of Chinese comfort food, often enjoyed across different regions with slight variations in the ingredients and methods. Whether you’re new to Chinese cuisine or a seasoned enthusiast, this dish will impress with its simplicity, flavor, and versatility. Let’s dive into the recipe and break down the ingredients, cooking instructions, and everything you need to know to make your own delicious bowl of Chinese Meatball Soup.
Chinese Meatball Soup Recipe
This recipe is designed to serve about 4 people and comes together in just under an hour, making it both an easy and rewarding dish to prepare.
Ingredients Needed
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For The Meatballs
- 1 lb (450g) ground pork (or chicken, if preferred)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or soaked Chinese dried mushrooms for extra flavor)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions (scallions)
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (preferably low-sodium)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 egg (for binding)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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For The Soup
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken or pork broth (for a richer flavor, you can use homemade stock)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or Shaoxing wine
- 2-3 slices of ginger (thinly sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons of Chinese rice vinegar (for a touch of acidity)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- 1/2 cup bok choy or napa cabbage (optional, for added freshness)
- 1-2 dried shiitake mushrooms (optional, for extra umami flavor)
Cooking Instructions
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Prepare The Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground pork, breadcrumbs, chopped green onions, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese five-spice powder, egg, and cornstarch. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small, golf-ball-sized meatballs, ensuring they are compact and well-formed. You should get about 18-20 meatballs, depending on size.
- Set the meatballs aside while you prepare the soup base.
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Prepare The Soup
- In a large pot, heat the chicken or pork broth over medium heat. Add the sliced ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice wine, and a splash of rice vinegar to the broth. Stir to combine and bring the soup to a simmer.
- Once the soup begins to simmer, gently drop the meatballs into the broth one by one. Avoid stirring aggressively to prevent the meatballs from breaking apart.
- Let the meatballs cook in the simmering broth for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have risen to the top. If using bok choy or napa cabbage, add it to the soup during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
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Final Touches
- Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce, salt, or a dash of rice vinegar if you like a tangier flavor.
- Once the meatballs are fully cooked, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Ingredient Insights
The beauty of Chinese Meatball Soup lies in the harmony of its ingredients. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key components:
- Ground Pork (or Chicken): The choice of meat greatly affects the flavor and texture of the meatballs. Pork is favored for its fat content, which gives the meatballs their moist and tender texture. If you’re looking for a lighter version, chicken is a great alternative.
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder: A signature seasoning in many Chinese dishes, five-spice powder is a mixture of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It adds a warm, aromatic flavor that’s both sweet and savory.
- Sesame Oil: This oil infuses the soup with a rich, nutty fragrance that deepens the flavors of the broth and the meatballs. A little goes a long way.
- Ginger & Garlic: These two ingredients form the backbone of Chinese culinary aromatics. They provide a balance of heat and depth to the soup, complementing the rich flavors of the meatballs.
Expert Tips
- Creating Tender Meatballs: To ensure your meatballs are light and tender, don’t overwork the meat mixture. The key is to mix just enough to incorporate all the ingredients without compacting the meat too much.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pot: When adding meatballs to the broth, make sure not to overcrowd the pot. This ensures they cook evenly and don’t stick together.
- Adjusting Broth Flavor: The broth is the soul of this dish, so don’t be afraid to tweak it. Add a bit more soy sauce for saltiness, a splash of vinegar for acidity, or a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. Taste as you go!
- Leftovers: This soup stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the meatballs separately from the broth for a quick meal on demand later.
Recipe Variations
One of the great things about Chinese Meatball Soup is its versatility. Here are a few ways to make it your own:
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground tofu or tempeh for the meatballs, and make a vegetable-based broth to keep the soup vegetarian.
- Adding Noodles: For a more filling dish, you can add some noodles-egg noodles or even rice noodles work great. Just cook them separately and add them to the soup before serving.
- Spicy Version: Add a couple of dried chili peppers or a spoonful of chili paste to the broth to give it a spicy kick.
- More Vegetables: If you want to pack in more nutrients, try adding more vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach towards the end of cooking.
- Different Meats: Experiment with different meats like beef or lamb for a twist on the traditional pork meatballs.
Final Words
Chinese Meatball Soup is one of those dishes that’s simple but incredibly rewarding. The meatballs are bursting with flavor, and the broth is the perfect canvas for those rich, aromatic flavors to shine. The best part? It’s endlessly customizable, and you can tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary preferences.