The first time I tasted this soup was in Central Vietnam a few years back. It was a welcome and unexpected change from all the Pho we had been having. Canh chua is often made with seafood, especially in the Southern Delta area, but this simple vegetarian version, is popular in Central and Northern areas. Its clean bright flavors feel very healing. Even though tomatoes are sadly out of season, I make an exception for this recipe, because I’ve come to crave it so much. Plan ahead and let the tomatoes soften and ripen on the counter for a few days before making the soup.
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Nutrition Facts
| Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories 163 | ||
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 8.9g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% | |
| Cholesterol 0g | 0% | |
| Sodium 562.6mg | 23% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 13g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3.4g | 14% | |
| Sugars 6.2g | ||
| Protein 11.5g | 23% | |
| Vitamin A 17% | Vitamin C 37% | |
| Calcium 42% | Iron 12% | |
( based on 4 servings)
Vietnamese Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Vietnamese Soup with Tamarind
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- ½ onion- diced (1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- 3–4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 Cups sliced mushrooms (shiitakes or cremini)
- 4 Roma or vine ripened tomatoes- diced into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce ( if using veggie stock)
- 8 oz firm tofu, cut into ¾ inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon tamarind paste (or tamarind concentrate) or sub lime juice
- ¼ Cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ Cup chopped chives or scallions
Instructions
In a Medium pot, heat oil over medium high heat, add diced onions. Saute until tender, stirring often, about 4 – 5 minutes. Turn heat to medium, add garlic, and mushrooms. Saute until mushrooms are just tender, about 3-4 more minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Saute until tomatoes begin to melt, about 2-3 minutes.
Add stock and soy sauce (optional). Add tofu and tamarind paste ( or lime juice). Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 3-4 minutes. Taste for balance. Add salt to taste.
Serve in a bowls with chopped cilantro and chives and chili flakes.
Serves 2 for dinner or 4 as a starter.
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June Baby says
November 30, 2014 at 12:26 pmAh that looks delicious! Reminds me of that Vietnamese takeaway place I used to get soup from… 🙂
Millie | Add A LIttle says
November 30, 2014 at 2:16 pmThis looks so delicious and warming! Yum!
indugetscooking says
December 1, 2014 at 2:48 amHaven’t had Viatnamese food at all. Really want to give it a try and seeing these warm soup pics.
Sylvia Fountaine says
December 14, 2014 at 5:46 pmIt’s worth a try!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
December 3, 2014 at 12:13 amThe photos really sell the soup! We just had a Vietnamese restaurant open up. I am looking forward to trying it. We are a small town. So it’s extra cool. And this soup sets me right up.
Delicious
Janine says
December 3, 2014 at 2:52 pmThis looks so yummy and quick to make. I need to try this!
Kathy @ Olives and Garlic says
December 9, 2014 at 3:06 amI love Vietnamese soups and this one looks superb. Must try.
Sylvia Fountaine says
December 14, 2014 at 5:46 pmThanks Kathy!!
vivian says
February 10, 2015 at 3:09 pmMade this last night for dinner. A superb flavour combination, and great that it is so easily made vegetarian. Thanks so much for posting this.
www.kennysang.org says
July 12, 2015 at 10:21 amAmazing piece of creating, I’m registering for your website
kennysang.org.
Erika Mascorro says
February 28, 2016 at 9:25 amThis soup was a fun blend of flavors and colors. It was delicious and so easy to make. Thank you!
Sylvia Fountaine says
February 28, 2016 at 10:54 amYay…so glad you liked it…I like it too. Healthy, easy and delicious! 😉
Helen says
August 5, 2016 at 10:31 amTried it. Really good. I added fish sauce to it too.
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
August 5, 2016 at 3:16 pmPerfect! So simple and tasty!
nely says
June 13, 2018 at 5:34 pmThat sound mouth watering!
Can i substitute the firm tofu with silk tofu?
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 14, 2018 at 5:04 pmYes!
James says
November 24, 2018 at 1:25 amDelicious, relatively simple yet with really bold flavours. This could easily come a staple for me. Thank you!
Sean says
January 24, 2019 at 11:11 amAbsolutely delicious and very easy, done it three or four times now in the las few weeks and about to do it again! Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
January 25, 2019 at 6:10 pmSo glad you are enjoying it Sean!
Heidi Argue says
March 6, 2019 at 4:05 pmThis soup is awesome!!!
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
March 7, 2019 at 5:55 amI like this one too! Glad you gave it a try!