homemade wonton soup

🍜 Homemade Wonton Soup Recipe

Delicate, savory, and heartwarming — a bowl of comfort

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Introduction to Wonton Soup (Approx. 350 words)

Wonton soup is a classic and beloved dish in Chinese cuisine, celebrated worldwide for its delicate balance of textures and flavors. Originating from Cantonese culinary traditions, the wonton (馄饨, húntún) itself is a small dumpling made of thin dough wrappers filled with a savory mixture, often pork, shrimp, or a combination of meats and aromatics. These tender parcels are then simmered gently in a light but flavorful broth, creating a comforting and nourishing soup.

Historically, wontons were often enjoyed as street food or family dishes in Southern China, particularly Guangdong and Hong Kong. They embody the elegance of simple ingredients transformed by skilled preparation. Today, wonton soup is a popular dish across Chinese restaurants globally, yet making it at home allows full control over freshness, flavors, and texture.

This recipe focuses on making homemade wontons from scratch, preparing a rich and fragrant broth, and assembling a bowl that’s balanced, fresh, and deeply satisfying. It’s a wonderful dish for chilly days, family dinners, or whenever you crave something wholesome and delicious.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this guide will help you create authentic wonton soup with clear steps, ingredient insights, and tips for variations and presentation.

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Ingredients (Approx. 250 words)

For the Wonton Wrappers (Makes about 40 wontons)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup warm water (adjust as needed)

• 1 large egg (optional, for extra elasticity)

Alternatively, use store-bought wonton wrappers for convenience.

For the Wonton Filling

• 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork (fresh, preferably 20-30% fat)

• 1/4 lb (115g) raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped finely

• 2 green onions, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine) or dry sherry

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• Optional: 1 small garlic clove, minced

For the Soup Broth

• 6 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade or low sodium)

• 2 cups water

• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, smashed

• 2 green onions, cut into thirds

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• Salt to taste

Additional Garnishes & Ingredients

• Baby bok choy or napa cabbage (blanched or quickly sautéed)

• Thinly sliced mushrooms (shiitake or white button)

• Chopped green onions for garnish

• Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

• Chili oil or chili flakes (optional)

• White pepper powder for seasoning at the table

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Step-by-Step Instructions (Approx. 900 words)

Part 1: Making Wonton Wrappers from Scratch

If you want to make your own wonton wrappers for the freshest taste and texture, here’s how:

1. Mix the Dough
   In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt. If you want, beat the egg lightly and add it here for elasticity and color. Slowly add the warm water (about 3/4 cup), stirring with chopsticks or a fork until a rough dough forms.

2. Knead the Dough
   Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add flour or water sparingly to adjust consistency.

3. Rest the Dough
   Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This resting period relaxes the gluten, making it easier to roll out.

4. Roll and Cut Wrappers
   Divide the dough into manageable portions. Roll each portion out as thin as possible on a floured surface (aim for about 1mm thickness). Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut into squares about 3–4 inches wide (or thinner if you prefer).

5. Keep Wrappers Covered
   Place the wrappers on a floured tray or parchment paper and cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying out while you work.

If using store-bought wrappers, separate and cover with a damp towel.

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Part 2: Preparing the Wonton Filling

1. Combine Ingredients
   In a bowl, mix ground pork, chopped shrimp, chopped green onions, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, grated ginger, cornstarch, white pepper, salt, and minced garlic (if using).

2. Mix Well
   Using chopsticks or your fingers, mix the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is sticky and well combined. This binding helps keep the filling together while cooking.

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Part 3: Wrapping the Wontons

1. Place Filling on Wrapper
   Place one wonton wrapper on the palm of your hand or a flat surface. Put about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center.

2. Moisten Edges
   Dip your finger in water and moisten the edges of the wrapper.

3. Fold the Wonton
   Fold the wrapper in half diagonally to form a triangle, pressing edges firmly to seal out air and prevent opening.

4. Optional Shapes

   • Bring the two opposite corners of the triangle together and pinch to form a classic “boat” shape.

   • Or leave as triangles or half-moons.

5. Place Wontons on Tray
   Lay the wrapped wontons on a tray dusted with flour or cornstarch to avoid sticking.

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Part 4: Making the Broth

1. Prepare Aromatics
   In a large pot, combine chicken stock, water, sliced ginger, smashed garlic cloves, and green onions.

2. Simmer the Broth
   Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook gently for 15-20 minutes to develop flavor.

3. Season the Broth
   Add soy sauce and sesame oil. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.

4. Strain Broth (Optional)
   For a clear broth, strain out the ginger, garlic, and green onions before serving.

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Part 5: Cooking the Wontons and Assembling the Soup

1. Cook Vegetables
   If using baby bok choy or napa cabbage, blanch or sauté them lightly and divide among serving bowls.

2. Cook the Wontons
   Bring the broth back to a gentle boil. Carefully drop wontons into the simmering broth, stirring gently to prevent sticking.

3. Simmer Until Done
   Wontons will cook in about 3–5 minutes; they float to the top when ready.

4. Add Mushrooms
   Toss in thinly sliced mushrooms in the last minute to cook lightly.

5. Serve
   Using a slotted spoon or ladle, scoop wontons and broth into serving bowls over the greens and mushrooms.

6. Garnish
   Sprinkle chopped green onions, cilantro, and white pepper. Add chili oil for a spicy kick if desired.

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Tips & Tricks (Approx. 300 words)

• Freshness Matters: Use fresh pork and shrimp for the best flavor and texture in the filling.

• Wrapper Thickness: Roll your wrappers as thin as possible without tearing for delicate texture.

• Don’t Overfill: Use about 1 teaspoon of filling; overfilling makes sealing difficult.

• Sealing Edge: Make sure to press the edges firmly and evenly moisten to avoid leaking during cooking.

• Broth Base: Homemade chicken stock adds the best flavor; store-bought can be used but enhance with aromatics.

• Simmer, Don’t Boil: Keep broth at a gentle simmer when cooking wontons to prevent tearing.

• Freeze Extras: Uncooked wontons freeze well. Place them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag.

• Customize Filling: Try pork with chopped shiitake mushrooms, or add finely chopped water chestnuts for crunch.

• Serve with Noodles: Add cooked egg noodles to the soup for a more filling meal.

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Variations (Approx. 300 words)

1. Pork & Shrimp Wontons (Classic)

The recipe above is the classic combo with pork and shrimp. Shrimp adds sweetness and texture, making the wontons juicy and tender.

2. Vegetarian Wontons

• Replace meat with finely chopped shiitake mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.

• Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic and ginger.

• Serve with vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.

3. Spicy Wonton Soup

• Add chili garlic sauce or fresh chili slices to the broth.

• Serve with a drizzle of chili oil.

• Include Sichuan peppercorns for numbing heat.

4. Seafood Wontons

• Use a filling of minced scallops, shrimp, and fish paste.

• Add fresh ginger and green onions for aromatic flavor.

• Pair with a light seafood broth.

5. Instant Pot Wonton Soup

• Prepare the broth and wontons as usual, but use an Instant Pot on “Soup” mode.

• This reduces cooking time and intensifies flavor.

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Serving & Presentation (Approx. 200 words)

Wonton soup is traditionally served piping hot in deep bowls. To make your presentation authentic and inviting:

• Use small, deep ceramic or porcelain bowls.

• Ladle broth and wontons gently over a bed of sautéed or blanched greens like bok choy or spinach.

• Garnish with finely sliced scallions, fresh cilantro, and a few drops of chili oil.

• Serve with Chinese-style soup spoons and chopsticks for an authentic experience.

• Complement with side dishes like steamed buns (bao), pickled vegetables, or steamed rice.

• For a festive touch, you can add a few thin slices of cooked roast pork or a soft boiled egg on top.

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Nutrition Information (Approx. 150 words)

This recipe is relatively light and nutritious, providing protein from pork and shrimp, vitamins from the vegetables, and hydration from the broth. Estimated nutrition per serving (assuming 6 servings):

• Calories: 250-300 kcal

• Protein: 20g

• Fat: 10g (mostly from pork and sesame oil)

• Carbohydrates: 15g (from wrappers and veggies)

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: varies depending on broth and soy sauce quantity

To reduce sodium, opt for low-sodium broth and soy sauce.

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Storage & Leftover Tips (Approx. 150 words)

• Uncooked Wontons: Freeze uncooked wontons in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to cooking time.

• Cooked Soup: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding extra broth if necessary.

• Broth: Freeze any leftover broth separately for future use.

• Vegetables: Best added fresh or cooked just before serving to maintain texture.

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Final Thoughts

Making homemade wonton soup is a rewarding culinary experience that fills your kitchen with inviting aromas and your bowl with comfort. The tender, flavorful wontons combined with the fragrant broth and fresh greens make it a dish perfect for any occasion — a family dinner, a cozy night in, or an impressive homemade meal for guests.

Once you master the basics, you can customize fillings, broths, and garnishes endlessly to suit your tastes. Wonton soup is not just food; it’s a comforting tradition that invites warmth, care, and creativity.