Tomato soup, known as 番茄汤 (fānqié tāng), became popular in China after the introduction of tomatoes in the 17th century. It is now a staple home‑cooked comfort dish, often served as a starter or a light meal during cooler months.

In northern China, the soup is often thickened with cornstarch and finished with an egg ribbon, while southern versions may add ginger, soy sauce, or a splash of rice vinegar for a brighter flavor profile.

It is typically served hot in a small bowl, garnished with chopped green scallions, and enjoyed alongside steamed rice or simple dumplings as a light accompaniment to the main meal.

While not tied to a specific festival, the soup is a common comfort food during family gatherings, rainy days, and as a starter during banquet meals to warm the palate.

Its simplicity highlights the natural sweetness of tomatoes, and the technique of adding a thin egg stream creates a silky texture that distinguishes it from Western tomato soups.

Traditional ingredients include fresh tomatoes, chicken stock, scallions, garlic, a pinch of sugar, cornstarch, and egg. Acceptable substitutes are canned diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, and arrowroot powder for thickening.

It pairs nicely with steamed buns (馒头), simple stir‑fried greens, dumplings (饺子), or a bowl of fried rice, balancing the meal with a light, refreshing broth.

Common errors include over‑browning the garlic, adding the egg while the soup is still boiling (which creates scrambled egg), and not mixing the cornstarch slurry well, leading to lumps.

Cornstarch provides a clear, glossy thickening without adding a heavy, floury taste, preserving the soup’s delicate flavor and bright color, which is preferred in Chinese soups.

Yes, you can prepare the broth and cornstarch slurry up to 24 hours ahead. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding the beaten egg just before serving.

The YouTube channel Souped Up Recipes focuses on quick, approachable home‑cooked meals, especially soups, stews, and comfort foods from various world cuisines, with clear step‑by‑step video tutorials.

Souped Up Recipes emphasizes simplicity and speed, using everyday pantry ingredients and minimal equipment, whereas many traditional Chinese cooking channels often feature more elaborate techniques and specialty ingredients.