• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sassy Chopsticks
  • Flavorful Asian-inspired Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Pantry
    • How-To
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • Chinese shredded potato 1
      Sichuan Stir-Fried Chinese Shredded Potato (酸辣土豆丝)
    • air fryer frozen Brussel sprouts
      Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts: The Easiest Recipe
    • no bake halloween treats
      35 No Bake Halloween Treats: Spooky and Delicious Fun
    • green onions feature 2
      How To Cut Green Onions (Scallions): 4 Easy Ways!
    • white sugar sponge cake
      White Sugar Sponge Cake Recipe (Bai Tang Gao – 白糖糕)
    • broccoli and mushroom stir fry 1
      Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry: Quick and Healthy
    • chili pepper vs jalapeno
      Chili Pepper vs Jalapeno: A Detailed Comparison
    • Taiwanese recipes
      13 Delicious Taiwanese Recipes Everyone Must Try
    • Chinese roast chicken recipe
      Chinese Roast Chicken Recipe (Simple and Delicious)
    • make spicy mayo
      How To Make Spicy Mayo Without Sriracha - DIY Guide
    • Peking spare ribs feature 1
      The Easiest Peking Spare Ribs (京都排骨): Peking-Style
    • radish vs beet feature
      Radish Vs Beet: Exploring The Differences And Facts
    Home » Recipes » Soup

    Easy Chinese Seaweed Egg Drop Soup Recipe (紫菜蛋花汤)

    Published: Jul 21, 2023 by Yuan

    41 shares
    • Facebook
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chinese seaweed soup, also known as "zi cai dan hua tang"(紫菜蛋花汤) in Mandarin, is a light and nourishing soup commonly found in Chinese cuisine. It is made with seaweed (typically dried), eggs, and chicken stock. It often includes other ingredients for added flavor and texture. Chinese seaweed soup is known for its simplicity and health benefits. The unique part of this soup is that it adds dried seaweed to the soup on top of the regular egg drop soup, which is tastier than the regular egg drop soup!

    Chinese seaweed soup 2
    Jump To
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Chinese seaweed soup
    • Store and reheat
    • Final thought
    • Easy Chinese Seaweed Egg Drop Soup Recipe (紫菜蛋花汤)
    • YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Ingredients

    Dried seaweed (commonly used types include wakame or kombu): The Chinese name is "zi cai," (紫菜)a type of seaweed with very thin ribbons. Chinese "zi cai" (紫菜) is also known as purple laver or nori in English. It is a type of edible seaweed widely used in Chinese cuisine, particularly in soups and salads. You can easily get it from Asian stores. 

    ingredients

    Chicken stock or vegetable broth (homemade or store-bought): Chicken stock serves as the base of the soup, providing a savory and flavorful foundation. 

    Whisked eggs: When beaten eggs are added to the hot soup, they create delicate ribbons or small curds, which give the soup a creamy and smooth texture. This adds a luxurious and comforting element to this dish.

    Sesame oil: Sesame oil has a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity to the soup. Adding a few drops of sesame oil can significantly elevate the taste of this soup.

    Dried small shrimp: Adding dried shrimp adds another layer of seafood essence to the soup. The combination of seaweed and dried shrimp creates a taste profile that is reminiscent of the sea.:)

    Chopped cilantro and green onion slices: Cilantro has a strong and distinctive aroma that can elevate the fragrance of the soup. 

    Salt and black pepper: to taste.

    Optional: light soy sauce( I did not add), tofu, mushroom slices, or other vegetables.

    How to make Chinese seaweed soup

    Rinse the dried seaweed in cold water to remove any salt or impurities. Soak the seaweed in water for 10-15 minutes until it softens. It helps to remove any salt or impurities. Drain and set aside.

    Chinese seaweed in water

    Place the dried seaweed, dried shrimp, sesame oil, chopped cilantro, green onion slices, salt, and pepper in a deep bowl.

    Bring the chicken stock(or water) to boil over medium heat in a pot. Slowly pour the whisked egg into the pot. Once the lovely "yellow ribbons" firm up, turn off the heat immediately. Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl over all the ingredients.

    ingredients in a bowl

    Mix the soup well to allow the flavors to blend. Serve the Chinese seaweed soup hot. Season the soup with soy sauce. (optional) Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.

    Chinese seaweed soup

    Chinese seaweed soup is often enjoyed as a light and comforting side dish or as part of a larger meal. Feel free to customize the soup by adding other ingredients to suit your preferences.

    Store and reheat

    Storage: Allow the seaweed soup to cool to room temperature. Transfer the soup to an airtight container or cover the pot with plastic wrap or a lid. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

    Reheating on the stovetop: Pour the desired amount of seaweed soup into a saucepan or pot. Heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated. Be careful not to boil the soup excessively, as it may cause the seaweed to become too soft. You can also reheat this soup in the microwave: Transfer the desired amount of seaweed soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on medium power in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated evenly. Enjoy your reheated Chinese seaweed soup!

    Chinese seaweed soup 3

    Final thought

    Chinese seaweed egg drop soup is a delightful culinary experience that tantalizes the taste buds and offers numerous health benefits. Its simple preparation and subtle flavors of seaweed, eggs, and warming broth make it a go-to option for quick and nutritious meals. Beyond its flavorful taste, Chinese seaweed egg drop soup is a nutritional powerhouse. Seaweed provides a wealth of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, promoting overall well-being and supporting a healthy immune system. Adding eggs adds protein and nourishing elements to the dish, making it a satisfying and complete meal option. 

    This soup is truly a comfort food. So next time, grab your pot and ingredients and enjoy the fusion of simplicity, flavor, and health in every spoonful. Happy cooking!

    Chinese seaweed soup

    Easy Chinese Seaweed Egg Drop Soup Recipe (紫菜蛋花汤)

    Chinese seaweed soup, also known as "zi cai dan hua tang"(紫菜蛋花汤) in Mandarin, is a light and nourishing soup commonly found in Chinese cuisine.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 75kcal

    Ingredients

    • 5 cups chicken stock
    • 4 tablespoons dried seaweed
    • ½ tablespoon dried shrimp
    • 2 eggs whisked
    • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
    • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Rinse the dried seaweed in cold water to remove any salt or impurities. Soak the seaweed in water for 10-15 minutes until it softens. It helps to remove any salt or impurities. Drain and set aside.
    • Place the dried seaweed, dried shrimp, sesame oil, chopped cilantro, green onion slices, salt, and pepper in a deep bowl.
    • Bring the chicken stock(or water) to boil over medium heat in a pot. Slowly pour the whisked egg into the pot. Once the lovely "yellow ribbons" firm up, turn off the heat immediately.
    • Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl over all the ingredients.
    • Mix the soup well to allow the flavors to blend.
    • Serve the Chinese seaweed soup hot. Season the soup with soy sauce. (optional)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.5g | Protein: 4.2g | Fat: 5.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 992mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1.1g | Vitamin A: -2IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below, and tag me @sassychopsticks9 or tag #sassychopsticks9 on Instagram!

    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    • baked Asian chicken wings 2
      Sticky Baked Asian Chicken Wings (Fall Off the Bone)
    • sushi bake recipe imitation crab 7
      Sushi Bake Recipe Imitation Crab (Sushi Casserole)
    • chicken breakfast recipes
      15 Easy Chicken Breakfast Recipes (Healthy Ideas)
    • hunan beef vs szechuan beef
      Hunan Beef vs Szechuan Beef- A Detailed Comparison

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    me

    Hello there! Welcome to sassychopsticks.com!

    I am Yuan, a US based writer, world traveler, Web developer and photographer behind this website. I was originally born in Kunming, which is the southern part of China, where every seasons is Spring! After attending 4 years of high school in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, I moved to Portsmouth, England where I spend 6 years and obtained my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I have lived in the United States for almost 2 decades now and currently live in Tennessee.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 3 ingredient Nutella cookies c
      3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe (Quick and Easy)
    • feature pic soju vs sake
      Soju Vs Sake: Exploring These Two Asian Classics!
    • shrimp mei fun 1
      Easy Shrimp Mei Fun Recipe (Stir Fry Rice Noodles)
    • Chinese tea and cups
      What Tea Is Served In Chinese Restaurants: Full Guide

    Trending recipes

    • rolls
      Chinese Egg Rolls
    • stir fry Taiwanese spinach
      Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic
    • Creamy coconut shrimp buffet style
      Creamy Coconut Shrimp Buffet Style- Quick and Easy
    • Chinese sponge cake
      Chinese Sponge Cake Recipe (Chiffon Cake)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT