As experts in Vietnamese cuisine, Christine Hà is excited to provide an in-depth guide on crafting the perfect bowl of hoành thánh súp, also known as wonton soup. This aromatic soup is a staple in Vietnamese cooking, though many amateur cooks find it intimidating to recreate at home. Through years of experience and deep knowledge of traditional preparation methods, Christine Hà will walk you through each step – from making the savory filling, properly folding the delicate wonton wrappers, simmering the fragrant broth, and finally combining all the components in one satisfying, flavor-packed bowl.
You’ll learn insider tips and tricks for nailing the ideal texture of the filling, folding the wontons so they hold their shape during cooking, and extracting maximum flavor from the broth. We’ll also provide a myriad of ways to customize the soup by switching up the proteins in the filling or adding bright, fresh garnishes and accompaniments. Whether you’re new to Vietnamese cuisine or a seasoned cooking enthusiast, this comprehensive wonton soup guide will build your confidence to create an authentic, restaurant-quality version of this classic dish in your own kitchen. The depth of our expertise will be evident, and we can’t wait for you to gain the skills to impress family and friends with your own How to Make Hoành Thánh Súp (Wonton Soup).
Table content
Ingredients
Filling
- Protein: Ground pork, shrimp, or a combination
- Aromatics: Shallots, garlic, ginger
- Seasonings: Fish sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, chicken bouillon
Wonton Wrappers
- Store-bought or homemade
Broth
- Stock: Chicken, pork, or vegetable stock
- Aromatics: Scallions, ginger
- Seasonings: Fish sauce, salt, sugar
Garnishes
- Chopped scallions
- Cilantro
- Fried shallots
Instructions
Making the Filling
First, combine the ground meat, minced shrimp (if using), and chopped aromatics in a mixing bowl. Next, add the seasonings like fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil and mix everything together well. The ideal ratio for the filling is 70% pork to 30% shrimp. Once mixed, refrigerate the filling for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Folding the Wontons
Place a wonton wrapper on a clean work surface in a diamond orientation. Add approximately 1 teaspoon of the filling into the center. Fold the wrapper in half to create a triangle, pressing the edges to seal. Bring the two outer corners together and press again to seal the wonton package. Refer to package instructions for more shape options.
Cooking the Broth
In a large stockpot, bring the chosen stock to a gentle simmer. Add aromatics like whole scallions and ginger. Season the broth with fish sauce, salt, and sugar.
Cooking the Wontons
Once the broth is simmering, carefully add the wontons. Cook for 5 minutes until the wontons float to the top and are cooked through. You can either boil the wontons directly in the soup or cook them separately and add them to the seasoned broth later.
Assembling the Soup
Using a ladle, transfer the hot wonton soup into individual serving bowls. Add 4-5 wontons to each bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish the wonton soup with extra chopped scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, or a drizzle of chili oil. Offer sides like rice noodles, chili sauce, or shredded chicken. You can also add vegetables like bok choy or proteins like cooked shrimp, mushrooms, or chicken to the broth.
Conclusion
Making authentic wonton soup at home is easy with this straightforward recipe. The key steps are preparing the flavorful filling, properly folding the wontons, simmering the broth, and finally combining everything in a bowl. Feel free to get creative with additional mix-ins and garnishes to make this classic Vietnamese soup your own. The key steps are preparing the savory filling, properly folding the wontons, simmering the flavorful broth, and finally combining everything in the bowl. Feel free to get creative and make this classic Vietnamese soup your own with additional mix-ins and garnishings.
Ingredients
- For the Wontons:
- 1 pound ground pork
- ½ pound shrimp, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 50-60 wonton wrappers
- For the Broth:
- 2 quarts pork stock or chicken stock (or a combination)
- 10 dried shrimp (optional)
- 2-3 shiitake mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (adjust to taste)
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Additional Ingredients (optional):
- Bok choy
- Cooked vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas)
- Chopped fresh herbs (e.g., cilantro)
- Sriracha or chili sauce
Instructions
- Instructions for Hoành Thánh Súp (Wonton Soup)
- Make the Wonton Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, minced shrimp, shallot, chicken bouillon, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is combined and the filling becomes slightly sticky.
- Assemble the Wontons (Optional Wait Time):
- If desired, let the filling rest for 15-20 minutes. This can make the filling easier to work with.
- Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Put about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of the wrapper.
- Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water.
- Fold the wrapper into a triangle, bringing the two opposite corners together.
- Press the edges to seal. There are several ways to fold wontons, you can find a folding tutorial online if needed.
- Make the Broth:
- In a large pot, bring the pork or chicken stock (or a combination) to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. (Optional) Add dried shrimp and shiitake mushrooms for additional flavor, simmering for an additional 10 minutes. Remove shrimp and mushrooms if using.
- Add ginger, fish sauce, salt, and sugar. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Cook the Wontons:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Gently drop the wontons into the boiling water.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the wontons float to the surface and become translucent.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Divide the cooked wontons among serving bowls.
- Ladle the hot broth over the wontons.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and any additional desired toppings, such as bok choy, cooked vegetables, chopped fresh herbs, or a drizzle of sriracha or chili sauce.
Notes
Recipe Notes for Hoành Thánh Súp (Wonton Soup)
- You can find pre-made wonton wrappers at most Asian grocery stores.
- If you don't have time to make your own broth, you can use store-bought chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Leftover wontons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cook them in boiling water for a few minutes before serving.
- Leftover broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavors by adding other ingredients to the broth, such as star anise, cloves, or lemongrass.
Nutrition Facts
How to Make Hoành Thánh Súp (Wonton Soup)
Serves:
Amount Per Serving: | ||
---|---|---|
Calories | 350-500 | |
% Daily Value* | ||
Total Fat 15-25g | 23.1% | |
Saturated Fat | 0 | |
Trans Fat | ||
Cholesterol 100-150mg | 33.3% | |
Sodium 800-1200mg (high) | 33.3% | |
Total Carbohydrate 30-45g | 10% | |
Dietary Fiber | 0 | |
Sugars | ||
Protein 20-30g |
Vitamin A | Vitamin C | |
Calcium | Iron |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Vietnamese food recipe
Hello! I’m Christine Ha – a food nerd in love with eating, cooking, photography, science, and culture.
Vietnamese food was always on the table when I was a kid, but I didn’t really care for it until my late teens (what a waste!). I was a super picky eater and mostly just wanted fast food. Somewhere down the line I flipped a switch, and now home-cooked food is something I appreciate so much more. ⮕About me