Fake Shark's Fin Soup 碗仔翅

Step 1

Skip this step if you already have cooked pork or chicken and broth. To make broth: you can make 1.5L of pork or chicken broth using approx. 900g pork bones or chicken bones that have some meat attached and 2L water. First clean the bones by putting them in a pot, add water to cover them, then bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, remove the bones and rinse with cold water. Put the bones in a pot again with 1.8L fresh water and add a few slices of ginger. Bring to a boil and turn down heat to low and let cook for 2 hours. Remove the bones and meat from the broth. Strain the broth and set aside.

Step 2

Soak dried black fungus in water for 1 hour or until softened

Step 3

Blanche the black fungus in boiling water for 1 minute, remove from water and let cool

Step 4

Soak mung bean vermicelli in water for 15 minutes. Dry in colander and cut into 3-5cm pieces I like mung bean vermicelli so I used 2 bunches instead of But note that the soup will be thicker with more vermicelli

Step 5

Remove the meat from the bones if not already done

Step 6

Hand shred the meat until it is in fine shreds and set aside

Step 7

Julienne the soaked black fungus and shiitake mushrooms

Step 8

Beat 1 egg and set aside

Step 9

Combine 1 tbsp water chestnut starch with 2 tbsp water, mix and set aside water chestnut starch is preferred over other starches because of its ability to bind with water and not separate. This feature is more important if the soup will be continuously heated such as in a retail environment. If you’re just making it for your family, corn starch will do the job. But if you’re looking for authenticity, water chestnut starch is the way to go

Step 10

Combine 1.5L broth, julienned black fungus, julienned shiitake mushrooms, shredded pork or chicken and mung bean vermicelli in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low

Step 11

Add 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, ¼ tsp white pepper powder, ½ tsp sugar, ½ tsp salt (amount of salt may vary if your broth had already been salted) and ½ tbsp dark soy sauce. Mix well

Step 12

Taste and make adjustments. Add more dark soy sauce if you would like it darker

Step 13

Stir the slurry and pour it into the soup slowly while stirring at the same time. You may add more slurry if you want it thicker, however, note that the vermicelli will also add thickness to the soup once it cools a bit

Step 14

Slowly pour the egg into the soup in a continuous stream either in a circular motion or zigzag motion

Step 15

Slowly move the chopsticks from one side of the pot to the opposite side to form egg ribbons

Step 16

Serve by itself or with red vinegar