Choy Sum Soup
𧱠Ingredients
Main
β’ 1 large bunch choy sum (cαΊ£i ngα»t)
β’ 150β200g soft or medium tofu (cut cubes)
β’ 150g mushrooms (shiitake / oyster / combo)
β’ 1.2β1.5 L water or light vegetable broth
Aromatics
β’ 3 cloves garlic (minced)
β’ 3β4 slices ginger (optional, but recommended)
β’ 1 tbsp oil
π§ Seasoning (balanced, not heavy)
β’ 1 tbsp soy sauce
β’ 1/2 tbsp vegan oyster sauce
β’ 1/2 tsp vegan chicken salt
β’ 1/4 tsp sugar
β’ White pepper
π Optional (premium boost):
β’ 1/2 tsp mushroom seasoning
β’ Few drops sesame oil (finish)
β’ Tiny pinch Celtic salt (only if needed)
π³ Cooking Method
1. Prep choy sum properly
β’ Wash thoroughly
β’ Separate stems and leaves
β’ Cut stems into 4β5 cm pieces
π Stems cook longer than leaves
2. Build deep umami base (key step)
β’ Heat oil
β’ SautΓ© garlic + ginger until fragrant
β’ Add mushrooms
π Cook until:
β’ Slightly browned
β’ Water released and mostly evaporated
π₯ This step creates restaurant-level flavour
3. Create broth
β’ Pour in water / veg stock
β’ Bring to gentle boil
β’ Simmer 5β10 minutes
π Allows mushroom flavour to infuse
4. Add tofu (gentle handling)
β’ Slide tofu into soup
β’ Simmer 2β3 minutes
π Do NOT stir aggressively β keeps tofu intact
5. Cook vegetables in stages
β’ Add choy sum stems first β cook 2 minutes
β’ Add leaves last β cook 1β2 minutes
π Keep greens bright, not overcooked
6. Season
β’ Add soy sauce + vegan oyster sauce
β’ Add chicken salt + sugar
β’ Finish with white pepper
π Taste should be:
β’ Light
β’ Slightly sweet
β’ Deep umami
β’ Very clean
7. Final finish
β’ Optional: a few drops sesame oil
β’ Optional: sprinkle spring onion
β
Taste Profile
β’ Naturally sweet from choy sum
β’ Deep savoury broth from mushrooms
β’ Silky tofu texture
β’ Clean, light but satisfying
π₯ Pro Tips (this makes it premium)
β’ Brown mushrooms well β BIG flavour difference
β’ Donβt overcook greens β keeps freshness
β’ Use mix of mushrooms β richer broth
β’ Keep broth βdrinkableβ β not too salty
πΆοΈ Optional upgrades
β’ Add goji berries β slight sweetness + color
β’ Add tofu skin (tΓ u hΕ© ky) β richer texture
β’ Add glass noodles β turn into light meal
β’ Add chilli slices β gentle heat
β οΈ Common mistakes
β Overcooking cαΊ£i ngα»t β turns yellow + bitter
β Too much soy sauce β masks natural sweetness
β Not browning mushrooms β flat taste