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4.9 from 48 votes

Shanghai Wonton Soup

This Shanghai wonton soup recipe comes directly from my childhood in China. A favorite breakfast or afternoon snack, this steaming bowl Shanghai Wonton soup or "little" wonton soup (xiao hun tun, 小馄饨) uses thin wonton wrappers and a small pork filling with Chinese spices.

Prep Time
4 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 391 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Making the stock:
  • 1½ pound chicken bones (680g)
  • 1½ pound pork bones (680g)
  • 9 cups water (2 liters)
  • 2 lices ginger
  • salt (to taste)
For the pork filling:
  • 1/2 pound ground pork (225g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
  • 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1½ tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 lice ginger (finely minced)
Making & cooking the wontons:
  • 1/2 pack thin wonton wrappers double the filling to finish the whole pack [The original little wonton wrappers are white, but in the US, you can generally only find yellow thin wonton wrappers that are made with egg. If you find the white ones, use those!]
  • A few drops of sesame oil in each bowl
  • A pinch of ground white pepper in each bowl
  • chopped scallion (about ½ a scallion per bowl is plenty)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Making the stock:
  2. In a soup pot, bring all the ingredients to a boil, scooping away any impurities (i.e. foam, etc.) that float to the top. Simmer at your burner’s lowest setting for at least 3-4 hours. A slow simmer makes the stock tasty, yet clear. When the stock is finished cooking, add salt to taste. You can also use this stock for other dishes—the flavor is clean and delicious.
  3. For the pork filling:
  4. Mix everything together, stirring in one direction for about 5-8 minutes until the mixture takes on a paste-like texture. This is best done by hand rather than with a mixer—get your arm workout in for the day!
  5. Making & Cooking the wontons:
  6. To wrap the wontons, place a 1/2 teaspoon of filling on the wrapper. Fold in half, and gently squeeze around the top of the filling, as shown in the photos.
  7. Heat up the stock if you made it in advance or if it has cooled. In a separate pot, boil the water for cooking the wontons. While you’re waiting, add the sesame oil and ground white pepper to each of your serving bowls.
  8. Once the water boils, add the wontons, and stir lightly. The wontons are done once they float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to scoop up the wontons, and add them to the soup bowls. Ladle over the stock, top with the chopped scallions, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 391kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 1100mg (46%) Potassium 387mg (11%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin C 0.7mg (1%) Calcium 56mg (6%) Iron 2.8mg (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 391

% Daily Value*

Calories 391kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 1100mg 46%
Potassium 387mg 8%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin C 0.7mg 1%
Calcium 56mg 6%
Iron 2.8mg 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.