Recipe: Won Ton Soup (2024)

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Nancie McDermott

Nancie McDermott

Nancie loves food & stories, especially those illuminating Asia & the American South. She spent three years in the Peace Corps in Thailand. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, she writes cookbooks & teaches cooking classes around the country & on Craftsy.com.

updated Nov 8, 2019

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Recipe: Won Ton Soup (1)

Serves6 to 8

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Recipe: Won Ton Soup (2)

From my first tiny bowl of won ton soup at Wong’s Chinese Restaurant in my North Carolina hometown, I have loved this soup. I’ve since enjoyed it in New York City and San Francisco, as well as in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Taipei.

The fact that every little wonton needs filling, folding, and cooking means that this dish doesn’t belong in the super speedy category. But made with only a few ingredients and simple steps, these dumplings are ready to boil in minutes. We enjoy them in soup or as a dumpling bowl, topped with Asian sesame oil or with a simple sauce.

Helpers recruited from among friends and family make this task a pleasure, and the reward of won ton soup will make them eager to sign up for future sessions. I love sprinkling a spoonful of Asian sesame oil onto my soup, along with the green onion and cilantro leaves.

Serve this meal with:

Tester’s Notes

This is one of the easiest won ton fillings I have ever made, but the results are really rewarding! While it does take time to fill and fold so many won tons, you’re left with enough for a few meals since the uncooked won tons freeze incredibly well. Learn how to fold the won tons with step-by-step photos here!

I also love that this soup is really a one-pot meal since spinach gets wilted right in the broth. It’s all very comforting and satisfying.

Comments

Serves 6 to 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the won tons:

  • 3/4 cup

    ground pork

  • 2 tablespoons

    finely chopped green onion

  • 1 tablespoon

    soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon

    Asian sesame oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    salt

  • About 40 square won ton wrappers

  • 12 cups

    water, plus 3 cups cold

For the soup:

  • 6 cups

    chicken stock

  • 2 cups

    fresh baby spinach leaves, or large spinach leaves torn into 2-inch pieces right before use

  • 1/4 cup

    chopped green onion

  • About 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. To make the won tons, combine the pork, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir to mix everything evenly.

  2. Prepare to fold the won tons by arranging the following on a table where you can sit and work: the package of won ton wrappers, measuring spoons, a small bowl of water to use when sealing the filled won tons, a cutting board or tray on which to lay out the wrappers as you fill them, and a platter or cookie sheet on which to place the filled won tons as you work.

  3. Place a wrapper before you, and put about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of the wrapper. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with a little water and fold it into a triangle shape. Press the edges together to seal it well. Bring the two bottom corners of the triangle together, and seal them with a little water, making a plump little envelope with the top point free. Set aside and continue filling wrappers. You will have around 40 won tons. (Check out our step-by-step photos here.)

  4. To cook the won tons, bring 12 cups water to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat. Have the 3 cups water handy, along with a 1-cup measure. Drop the won tons into the boiling water one by one, stirring now and then to keep them separate. As soon as the water returns to a boil, add 1 cup of the cold water to stop the boiling.

  5. When the water boils again, add another cup of cold water. When it boils a third time, add the last cup of water. When it boils again, scoop the won tons out gently and drain well. Transfer to a large serving bowl or tureen in which you will serve the soup, and cover it to keep them warm while you make the soup.

  6. To make the soup, bring the chicken stock to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place the spinach leaves in the serving bowl over the won tons and carefully pour the hot chicken stock over them. Sprinkle the green onion and cilantro on top, and serve at once. Provide soup bowls with spoons for soup and chopsticks or forks for won tons. Serve 5 or 6 won tons in each guest’s bowl, along with some spinach, green onion, and cilantro; top off with chicken stock, and serve hot.

Recipe Notes

  • Frozen won tons: To freeze the won tons, place them on a platter which will fit in the freezer, at least 1 inch apart. When they are completely frozen, place them in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and store for up to 1 month. Don’t thaw them, but allow an extra few minutes’ cooking time.
  • You could also prepare individual bowls, noodle shop-style. Set out a bowl for each guest near the stove. Place hot won tons in each bowl, and add a few leaves of spinach. Ladle hot soup into each bowl, sprinkle with green onion and cilantro leaves, and serve hot.

Reprinted with permission from Quick & Easy Chinese: 70 Everyday Recipesby Nancie McDermott, copyright (c) 2008. Published by Chronicle Books.

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by Nancie McDermott

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Recipe: Won Ton Soup (2024)

FAQs

What is the broth of wonton soup made of? ›

Making the broth with a combination of chicken backs, pork trotters, dry-cured ham, dried shrimp, and glutamate-rich seaweed results in an extra-savory and rich soup. Brining the shrimp that fill the wontons in a solution of salt and baking soda preserves their juiciness and makes them crisp.

What is in 10 ingredient wonton soup? ›

Ingredients
  • ½ pound boneless pork loin, coarsely chopped.
  • 2 ounces peeled shrimp, finely chopped.
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine.
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped green onions.
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root.
  • 24 (3.5 inch square) wonton wrappers.
Nov 6, 2023

What is the filling in a wonton made of? ›

Wonton filling

There are many types of wonton fillings, but I'd say that pork and shrimp/prawns are the most common. Then there are all sorts of additions, including mushrooms, water chestnuts, chopped up Asian greens and even carrots.

What is wonton noodle soup made of? ›

The name of the noodle soup that has wontons in it is commonly known as "wonton noodle soup." It is a popular Chinese soup dish that typically consists of wontons (small dumplings filled with seasoned ground meat or seafood) served in a clear broth with thin egg noodles, leafy greens, and other toppings such as sliced ...

Is wonton soup good for you? ›

In addition to lifting your energy levels, metabolism, and muscle production, wonton soup can also contribute to your overall health by providing at least eight percent of the total vitamin B needed per day.

What thickens Chinese soup? ›

Add Cornstarch or Flour: Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch or all-purpose flour with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth paste. Stir the paste into the soup and simmer until it thickens. Make sure to stir continuously to avoid lumps. Use Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes can be an excellent natural thickener.

What's the difference between Chinese dumpling soup and wonton soup? ›

When comparing Chinese dumplings vs wontons, some key differences are: Wrappers: Wonton wrappers are thinner, are usually square, and may contain egg. Dumpling wrappers are thicker, are usually round, and don't require egg. Filling: Dumplings can be filled or unfilled.

Is chicken broth the same as stock? ›

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

What is the crunchy stuff on wonton soup? ›

They are essentially wonton wrappers that have been deep-fried in oil until they are crispy, and golden brown and served with dipping sauce, or used as a salad or soup topper.

What do you eat with wonton soup? ›

Some nice dishes to eat with wonton soup are egg rolls, spring rolls, shrimp & vegetables, chicken & vegetables, orange chicken, steamed broccoli, ribs, fish, etc. There are a lot of options you can choose from. You can also choose to add vegetables and meats to your wonton soup to make it more filling.

How do Chinese eat wonton soup? ›

You eat wonton soup from a bowl, with an earthenware soup spoon in one hand and chopsticks in the other. Scoop the wontons from the soup with your chopsticks and eat the liquid with the spoon. Easy.

Why does wonton soup taste like? ›

The flavors of wonton soup are warm, comforting, and yet gentle on the digestive tract. The broth is simple and brought to life with a drizzle of sesame oil and, usually, white pepper. The delicate wonton pouches are not too heavy on the stomach, and the ginger is light and helps with nausea.

What are the ingredients in Campbell's wonton soup? ›

chicken stock, chicken wonton (enriched wheat flour [flour (niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)], water, chicken meat [chicken meat, water, modified cornstarch, salt, soy protein isolate, sodium phosphate, chicken stock, dried chicken, natural flavoring, chicken fat], bread crumbs [ ...

What is Chinese wonton soup made of? ›

Wonton soup is usually based in chicken broth, or a restaurant's house broth. Our recipe calls for chicken broth and water, which is seasoned with salt, oil, fish sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Check the ingredient list above to see precise amounts.

What is another name for wonton soup? ›

One is mami, which is a noodle soup that has egg noodles, wontons, and various vegetables in a hot broth. The name mami is derived from a Chinese phrase that means “pork noodles". Another type is pancit molo, which is similar to mami, but the noodles used are the wonton wrappers themselves.

What is the liquid in soup made of? ›

Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth.

What is the soup in soup dumplings made of? ›

One of the major components of soup dumplings is the broth, of course. The most traditional recipes make the broth with water and pork bones. Scallions, Chinese rice wine, ginger, garlic, white pepper, and other herbs or traditional seasonings could be used.

What does wonton soup broth taste like? ›

Hong Kong style wonton soup is a clear soup base made with chicken or pork broth and dried shrimp stock, full of umami and depth. A hint of toasted sesame oil adds a light nuttiness and a touch of soy sauce adds a satisfying salinity.

How do they get the soup in soup dumplings? ›

The fillings for soup dumplings are typically made from seasoned pork, and the aspic or gelatin is made by cooking down broth and letting it cool and congeal. The dough must be kneaded to be extremely soft and smooth before it is rolled into a thin, flat circle.

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