Salted Vegetables & Tofu Soup
Ok, there is absolutely no modesty this time round as I just want to declare that I think this soup is … yummy-licious!! I think this is the first time I got a self-experimented recipe right the first time and I am so thrilled. My verdict – this soup tastes like those sold at zi char stalls, but minus the MSG :D Haha, are you convinced already? But don’t sue me if you don’t find it nice =/
Ok, I better stop my shameless self-plug, do try it out!! =x

Salted Vegetables & Tofu Soup (咸菜豆腐汤)
(with tomatoes, prawns/squids, lean pork, carrots & sour plums)
Ingredients
- 300g firm tofu (or those that indicated on package as suitable for soups), cut to cubes
- 200g salted vegetables, cut to pieces (not too small)
- 2 sour plums
- 2 pieces of ginger
- 100g lean pork, sliced thinly
- 6 prawns, de-shelled & de-veined
- 100g squid, cut to rings
- 2 tomatoes, cut to wedges
- 80g carrot, peeled and cut
- 1200ml waterDirections
1. Boil water in pot. Add salted vegetables, carrots, sour plums and ginger to boiling water & simmer on medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
2. Add tofu & tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes.
3. Lastly, add the pork slices, squids and prawns and cook for 3-5 minutes. Serve hot with rice.Tip: you can add 1/2tbsp Chinese cooking wine (aka Hua Tiao Jiu/Shao Xing Jiu) at step 3 if desired. I once ate at a zi char store and they added lots of Chinese cooking wine to their soup and it tastes great. But if it’s your first time trying out the soup, you may wanna skip this so that you can enjoy the original taste =D
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This week’s WHB is hosted by the delicious-looking Coffee & Vanilla, with my focus on the ingredient salted vegetables tofu aka beancurd (because I am saving salted vegetables for another WHB, hee). It’s great to incorporate more tofu in our diet because there are just so many health benefits of consuming it – it is high in protein (hence it’s an excellent substitute for meat), high in calcium (preventing osteoporosis) & cholesterol-free – among a host of other benefits. Do look out for labels that says that the tofu is made from organic or “non-GMO” beans, as they are more natural & healthier.
And of course, tofu tastes great too. I swear I can hear my two hamsters ‘slurping’ away whenever I feed them tofu. They really know what is good for them :XO:
Interesting reads about tofu:
- Soya.be – What is tofu?
- Making Home-Made Tofu
- Soya Foods: Tofu information
- Wiki: How to prepare tofu
My other tofu recipes:
- Agedashi Tofu
- Cold Tofu
- Spicy Minced Meat with Tofu & Mushrooms
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooooh, that soup does look delicious!
That soup looks good! The broth is mostly clear but a little misty and you can see all of the goodness in the soup.
I love having this with a bowl of white rice and red chiilies in soy sauce. Too bad for me as I’m allergic to most seafood but I think the combo with just pork tofu and salted veg should work out well for me. Great comfort soup!
I believe you in the goodness of the soup and will not sue you…but you show such yummy soup and we can’t get to eat/drink it – how shall we punish you :P You better soo-the us with more goodies.
Hamsters eat tofu or “eat only your tofu” (pun intended)….LOL ;P
You are simply brilliant for turning this simple soup into a fine dining soup as evident from your photo :D
yum! I like clear soup like that. Not as heavy. I can even see the Jap tofu in this!!
I like soup with salted vegetables, very appetizing.
My hamster don’t have the luxury of having japanese tofu. :P
Luckily for me, they do eat the normal tofu I get for them. lol
Thanks for the comments everyone :XO:
tigerfish: haha, you are too funny :D
didally: I buy local tofu regularly too, especially these one, two months because I seldom go Isetan Orchard. They better take it or leave it :D
Thank you, very interesting entry and amazing blog!
Margot
salted veg and tofu soup!! Man… I ‘m so craving this now :p I might have to go and hunt down some salted veg and sour plum :p
Good idea…after the big fish big meat big seafood I had recently on my trips, I need something simple and good to eat…I will make this for lunch!!!
It looks delicious. I’m starting to learn how to use tofu, and I like it a lot.
Thanks again for all the kind comments :wink:
I seriously love the look of this soup. I love the fresh and simple ingredients. Delish! And don’t be shy about tooting your own horn!
Very nice. Got my mouth watering.
Could I have a little fried shallots or garlic on mine?
HI..
would to know which type of salted veg did you use? it can be found in NTUC?
Hi Min, I’m not sure if NTUC sells them. I bought mine at a Yong Tau Foo stall at the market …
Hello!
Just wondering how many servings is the recipe for? :)
Hi Cheryl, it serves roughly 3-4 pax I think :-)
That looks so good and healthy!
sorry silly question…
wat does salted vege call in chinese??n sour plum??whr can i buy it??
tis is my hubby fav soup….will cook for him tis weekend…
Hi RNC, salted veg is 咸菜 in Chinese. Can buy at supermarket or wet market (usually the store that sells fresh tofu I think).
there’s a photo of sour plum at http://www.noobcook.com/2010/01/23/teochew-steamed-fish/ 3rd photo, can purchase at supermarkets. Hope this helps.
I used pork ribs when I was cooking this soup and omitted the sour plums but put in more tomatoes…amazingly tasty yet easy to prepare soup!
Hi,
i like to try cooking this soup. May i know should i soak or rinse the salted vegetables a few times first before i cook them, so as to remove some of its saltiness ?
Thanks, ^)^
Hi May, you can taste test a tiny piece to know the actual saltiness – if too salty, you can soak in water until the desired level, before cooking. Hope this helps.
Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply.
Ok, will give it a try!
Thanks, ^)^