Hoành Thánh Súp, or Vietnamese Wonton Soup, embodies the delicate harmony of Vietnamese culinary traditions, offering a symphony of flavors and textures in every spoonful. Rooted in the rich tapestry of Vietnam’s gastronomic history, this soup marries the subtle art of wonton making with a broth that is both light and intensely flavorful, showcasing the balance that Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for. As we delve into this recipe, you’ll not only learn how to craft the perfect wonton—a skill passed down through generations—but also how to simmer a broth that sings with notes of star anise, fresh ginger, and spring onions.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious foodie, this guide promises to elevate your cooking repertoire, offering insights into the intricate layers of flavor and technique that make Hoành Thánh Súp a beloved dish in Vietnam and beyond. Join Iscleecam on this culinary journey to discover how simple ingredients can be transformed into a dish that is both comforting and exotic, making it a cherished addition to any meal.
Table content
All About Vietnamese Wonton Soup
Hoành Thánh Súp is a beloved Vietnamese wonton soup that has become popular worldwide for its complex and comforting flavors. This soup features delicate pork and shrimp wontons floating in a rich chicken broth garnished with scallions and bean sprouts. While the soup may seem simple at first glance, proper preparation of the wonton filling and wrappers takes practice. Mastering the complex balance of sweet, sour, salty, and savory flavors is also an art form.
Ingredients and Preparation
Authentic Hoành Thánh Súp starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients
- Wonton wrappers – thin square dumpling skins
- Ground pork – for the wonton filling
- Shrimp – for the wonton filling
- Onions – for the wonton filling
- Garlic – for the wonton filling
- Ginger – for the wonton filling
- Soy sauce – for the wonton filling
- Fish sauce – for the wonton filling
- Sugar – for the wonton filling
- Salt – for the wonton filling
- Black pepper – for the wonton filling
- Chicken broth – for the soup base
- Water – for the soup base
- Scallions – for garnish
- Bean sprouts – for garnish
- Noodles (optional) – for serving
Follow these steps to prepare the essential components:
Wonton Filling
- Finely dice the shrimp, pork, onions, garlic, and ginger. Combine in a large bowl.
- Add soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly incorporated.
- Chill the filling for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Wontons
- Place a heaping teaspoon of filling in the center of a wonton wrapper.
- Wet the edges with water and fold the wrapper diagonally to form a triangle. Seal edges tightly.
- Store the uncooked wontons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cover lightly and refrigerate until ready to use.
Tip: Don’t overfill wontons, and be gentle when sealing to avoid tearing the delicate wrappers.
Broth
- In a large pot, combine chicken broth and water. Add more water if you want a lighter broth.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Skim any foam that rises to the top.
- Adjust seasoning with soy sauce, salt, and pepper until the broth tastes well-balanced.
Cooking the Vietnamese Wonton Soup
Now that you’ve assembled all the components, it’s time to cook and combine them:
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.
- Gently add the wontons and cook for 5-7 minutes until they float and the pork filling is cooked through. Do not boil or the wontons may break apart.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- If using noodles, add them in the last 1-2 minutes to cook briefly.
- Add bean sprouts right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
Proper cooking is crucial to achieve the perfect tender-but-firm wonton texture.
Serving and Garnishing
To serve, transfer piping hot Hoành Thánh Súp to deep bowls. Garnish with:
- Thinly sliced scallions
- Fresh bean sprouts
- Chili oil or sriracha for spice
Optional additions:
- Cooked rice noodles
- Lime wedges
- Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint
Avoid over-garnishing to let the delicate wonton flavors shine through.
Tips
- For the richest flavor, use homemade chicken or pork broth. But store-bought works fine too.
- Experiment with additional fillings like carrot, cabbage, mushrooms, or water chestnuts.
- If you’re short on time, use store-bought frozen wontons instead of making them from scratch.
- Hoành Thánh Súp is traditionally served with steamed jasmine rice on the side.
Conclusion: Vietnamese Wonton Soup
In this guide, we explored the ingredients, preparation, cooking, serving, and cultural significance of Hoành Thánh Súp. Making wontons and broth from scratch results in a deeply comforting, flavorful soup. However, convenient substitutions still capture the essence of this Vietnamese staple.
Iscleecam hopes this breakdown gave you a better appreciation of the care and technique that goes into Vietnamese cuisine. The best way to further your understanding is to get cooking. Adapt this classic recipe with your own twists, and share your creations with others. Preserving and celebrating cultural diversity starts in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- For the Wontons:
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 pound shrimp (minced)
- 1 small shallot (chopped finely)
- Aromatics (optional):
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 20-30 wonton wrappers
- For the Broth:
- 2 quarts chicken or pork broth (or a combination)
- 1/2 cup dried shrimp (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes)
- Optional additions for extra flavor:
- 1 small white onion (roasted)
- 1-2 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- Other Accompaniments (Optional):
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions or scallions
- 1 pound fresh egg noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
- Chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, mint)
- Sriracha or chili sauce
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Make the Wonton Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, minced shrimp, shallot, and any desired aromatics (ginger, garlic).
- Add oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Assemble the Wontons:
- Lay a wonton wrapper flat on a work surface.
- Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of the wrapper.
- Fold the wrapper diagonally to form a triangle, then pinch the edges to seal. You can also try other folding techniques like the crescent or pouch fold.
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large pot, bring chicken or pork broth (or a combination) to a simmer.
- Strain the soaked dried shrimp and add both the shrimp and the soaking water to the broth.
- To enhance flavor (optional), add the roasted onion, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions to the simmering broth.
- Cook the Wontons:
- Once the broth is simmering, gently drop the wontons into the pot.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the wontons float to the surface and become translucent.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Divide cooked wontons and broth among serving bowls.
- Optional: Add cooked egg noodles to each bowl.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, mint), a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of sriracha or chili sauce to taste.
Notes
- For a richer broth flavor, you can brown the ground pork before adding it to the filling mixture.
- If you don't have dried shrimp, you can substitute with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce.
- Wonton wrappers can dry out quickly. Keep them covered with a damp cloth while you assemble the wontons.
- Don't overcrowd the pot when cooking the wontons. Cook them in batches if necessary.
- Leftover wontons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Vietnamese Wonton Soup [Hoành Thánh Súp]
Serves: 4-6 servings
Amount Per Serving: 1 cup
|
||
---|---|---|
Calories | 350-500 | |
% Daily Value* | ||
Total Fat 10-15g | 15.4% | |
Saturated Fat 3-5g | 15% | |
Trans Fat 0g | ||
Cholesterol 0 | 0 | |
Sodium 0 | 0 | |
Total Carbohydrate 40-50g | 13.3% | |
Dietary Fiber 3-5g | 12% | |
Sugars 5-8g | ||
Protein 25-35g |
Vitamin A 400-600mcg | Vitamin C 10-15mg | |
Calcium 100-150mg | Iron 4-6mg |
* 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