Delicate and Hearty Crab Stick Soup
Super Simple! A Soothing Morning Soup – Making Delicious Crab Stick Soup
This is a super simple crab stick soup made with easily available ingredients and fragrant enoki mushrooms. Enjoying a warm bowl in the morning will leave you feeling comfortable and satisfied. Add a Chinese culinary touch for an even deeper flavor.
Recommended Ingredients Today
- Imitation Crab Sticks (Kani Kama) 150g: Shred them along the grain for easy eating.
- Enoki Mushrooms 80g: Trim the base, wash thoroughly, and separate the strands.
- Egg Whites 2: Separate the yolks and use only the whites.
- Clear Broth (Squid or Chicken) 1.2L: Prepare a broth that will add depth of flavor.
- Scallion 1 stalk: Finely chop to add fragrance.
- Olive Oil 3 Tbsp: Creates a smooth sautéing base.
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp: An essential ingredient for enhancing flavor.
- Minced Ginger 1 tsp: A pungent aroma that further elevates the taste.
The Secret to Flavor: Seasoning Blend
- Oyster Sauce 0.7 Tbsp: The key ingredient for adding umami.
- Cooking Sake 1 Tbsp: Removes any gamey odors and adds a smooth taste.
- Tsuyu (Soup Base) 2 Tbsp: Adds depth to the broth’s flavor.
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp: Will add nuttiness at the end.
- Pepper, a pinch: Sprinkle to your liking.
- Cornstarch 1 Tbsp: Used to achieve a thick consistency.
- Water 2 Tbsp: For dissolving the cornstarch.
- Salt, to taste: To adjust the overall seasoning.
- Oyster Sauce 0.7 Tbsp: The key ingredient for adding umami.
- Cooking Sake 1 Tbsp: Removes any gamey odors and adds a smooth taste.
- Tsuyu (Soup Base) 2 Tbsp: Adds depth to the broth’s flavor.
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp: Will add nuttiness at the end.
- Pepper, a pinch: Sprinkle to your liking.
- Cornstarch 1 Tbsp: Used to achieve a thick consistency.
- Water 2 Tbsp: For dissolving the cornstarch.
- Salt, to taste: To adjust the overall seasoning.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim the base of the enoki mushrooms, wash them thoroughly under running water, and gently separate the strands. Shred the imitation crab sticks along their natural grain.
Step 2
Finely chop the scallions to release their aroma. Mince the garlic and ginger. Prepping your ingredients like this will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Crack the eggs into a bowl and carefully separate the whites from the yolks. Today, we’ll be using only the egg whites to add a silky texture to the crab soup.
Step 4
This is broth from boiling semi-dried squid, and its subtle umami will enrich the flavor of this crab soup. If you don’t have this, chicken broth or anchovy-kelp broth are excellent alternatives. (Reference: Here’s a link to a recipe where I boiled semi-dried squid for 50 minutes to make Nanban-style dumplings: @6981039)
Step 5
In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir well with chopsticks or a whisk until smooth and lump-free. This slurry will be crucial for thickening the soup.
Step 6
Now, let’s sauté. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped scallions, minced garlic, and minced ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
Step 7
Once the aromas have bloomed, carefully pour the 1.2 liters of prepared clear broth into the pot.
Step 8
As the broth begins to simmer, add 0.7 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons of tsuyu, and 1 tablespoon of cooking sake. Stir well. While it’s simmering, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
Step 9
Add the prepared enoki mushrooms and shredded imitation crab sticks to the pot and let them simmer briefly.
Step 10
Once the ingredients are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Gradually pour in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the soup reaches your desired thickened consistency.
Step 11
As the soup starts to thicken, slowly drizzle in the egg whites while stirring gently to prevent them from clumping. The cooked egg whites will add a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 12
Finally, add a pinch of pepper to taste for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 13
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, then switch off the stove. Your cooking is now complete.
Step 14
Your warm and delicious crab stick soup is ready! It’s great on its own or, even better, served alongside fried rice for a fantastic meal. Enjoy this comforting soup for a gentle start to your day.
