Creamy and Savory Crab Stick Soup
Creamy and Savory Crab Stick Soup
Effortlessly Make a Gourmet Crab Stick Soup at Home!
As the air turns crisp in the mornings and evenings, warm and comforting foods naturally find their way onto our tables. Today, I’m sharing a simple yet incredibly rich and savory crab stick soup recipe that’s perfect as a light breakfast or a delightful side dish for dinner. Its creamy texture and delicious flavor will warm you from the inside out!
Main Ingredients- 6 Imitation Crab Sticks (Kani)
- 80g Enoki Mushrooms
- 2 Eggs (whites only)
- 20g Green Onion (about 1/3 stalk)
- 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Oyster Sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1L Water
- 2 Chicken Stock Cubes
Slurry for Thickening- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 Tbsp Water
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 Tbsp Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your star ingredient: 6 imitation crab sticks (Kani). I used approximately 138g for this recipe.
Step 2
Gently shred the imitation crab sticks lengthwise into thin strands. This technique helps them blend beautifully into the soup, creating a more natural texture.
Step 3
Finely mince 20g of green onion (about 1/3 of a stalk). It’s helpful to set aside a small amount for garnish later, using the rest in the soup base.
Step 4
Rinse 80g of enoki mushrooms lightly under running water. Separate the mushroom strands by gently pulling them apart. Then, cut them crosswise into roughly 1-2 cm pieces for easier eating.
Step 5
Get two eggs ready. For this recipe, we’ll only be using the egg whites, so be prepared to separate them from the yolks.
Step 6
Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks. Lightly whisk the egg whites with chopsticks or a whisk until they are smooth and free of any large clumps.
Step 7
Prepare the thickening slurry. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of water. Stir well until there are no lumps; a smooth slurry is key for achieving a perfect consistency without clumps.
Step 8
Heat 1.5 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot or a deep pan over medium-high heat.
Step 9
Add about three-quarters of your minced green onions and all the prepared enoki mushrooms to the hot pan.
Step 10
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Step 11
Sauté the green onions and mushrooms for about 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat, just until they begin to soften and wilt slightly. Pre-sautéing enhances the depth of flavor.
Step 12
Once the vegetables have softened, carefully pour in 1 liter of water.
Step 13
Now, let’s season the soup. Add 2 chicken stock cubes and stir until they are completely dissolved in the water. If you don’t have chicken stock cubes, you can use a concentrated chicken broth or dashi stock.
Step 14
For an extra layer of savory flavor, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of oyster sauce. Oyster sauce adds a wonderful umami that elevates the soup’s taste.
Step 15
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the shredded imitation crab sticks and stir gently 4-5 times to help them disperse evenly in the broth.
Step 16
As the soup simmers, you might notice some foam rising to the surface. Skim this foam off with a spoon for a clearer broth and cleaner taste.
Step 17
Once the soup returns to a gentle boil, turn off the heat temporarily. While stirring the soup in a circular motion with chopsticks, slowly drizzle in the whisked egg whites in a thin stream. This creates delicate, wispy strands of egg white throughout the soup.
Step 18
After incorporating all the egg whites, turn the heat back up to medium. Begin to gradually add the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve your desired thickness. Continue adding and stirring until the soup reaches the right consistency.
Step 19
The ideal consistency for this crab stick soup is slightly thicker than water – it should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable, not overly stiff.
Step 20
Ladle the warm, creamy soup into serving bowls. Garnish with the reserved minced green onions for a final touch of freshness and color. Your delicious homemade crab stick soup is ready to be enjoyed!
