Indulge in the ultimate comfort meal on a cold, wintry evening with this delightful and effortless recipe for homemade shrimp ball soup. Bursting with umami flavors and featuring Chinese napa cabbage and delicate glass noodles, this dish is a true slurp-worthy delight. Prepare to be comforted by its lightness and warmth. Crafted with homemade shrimp balls, this glass noodle soup is a must-try.
Below, I will share how you can make this delicious shrimp ball soup. This quick and easy recipe brings together the flavors of succulent shrimp balls, tender Chinese napa cabbage, and translucent glass noodles, resulting in a comforting and flavorful dish. Perfect for a chilly night, this light yet satisfying soup will warm your heart and soul.
Chinese Shrimp Balls Soup Recipe
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rest Time
0 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Balls:
For the Soup:
Directions
1. Heat the vegetable stock in a large pot until it reaches a boiling point on medium heat.
2. Place the Napa cabbage into the pot and allow it to simmer for approximately 5 minutes until it reaches a slightly tender consistency.
3. While the Napa cabbage simmers, prepare the glass noodles by following the instructions provided on the packaging. Drain and set aside.
4. Mix cornstarch, wheat flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then dip the peeled and deveined shrimp.
5. Carefully drop the dipped shrimp into the simmering vegetable stock. Allow the glass noodles to cook for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until they coil into a ball-like shape and rise to the surface.
6. To flavor the soup, add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper according to your preference. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
7. Divide the cooked glass noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot shrimp balls and Napa cabbage soup over the noodles, distributing the ingredients evenly.
8. For an additional burst of freshness, if desired, garnish the soup with chopped green onions or cilantro. Serve the homemade shrimp balls soup immediately while it's hot, and enjoy its comforting flavors.
Tips & Notes
Make shrimp balls: You can make shrimp balls using whole shrimp or ground shrimp. Ground shrimp will give you the perfect ball, while whole shrimp will curl into a ball shape when cooked.
Noodle Serving Technique: To prevent the glass noodles from clumping together and becoming mushy, it's best to cook them just before serving the soup. Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the package, ensuring you adhere to the recommended cooking time. Once cooked, drain the noodles promptly. Rinse them under cold water to eliminate any excess starch, and then divide them into individual serving bowls. This way, the noodles will retain their texture and won't overcook in the hot soup.
Nutritional Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Calories
458
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11.7g
15%
Saturated Fat 5g
25%
Cholesterol 240mg
80%
Sodium 2106mg
92%
Total Carbohydrate 58.9g
21%
Dietary Fiber 1.2g
4%
Total Sugars 5.3g
Protein 38g
Vitamin D 0mcg
0%
Calcium 191mg
15%
Iron 3mg
8%
Potassium 269mg
6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
How To Make This Chinese Shrimp Ball Soup
Napa Cabbage
A mild and sweet Chinese cabbage with long, pale green leaves. Napa cabbage adds a delightful crunch and subtle sweetness to the soup.
Whole Shrimp
Fresh or frozen shrimp that are peeled and deveined. Shrimp is the star ingredient of this recipe, providing a delicious seafood flavor and a tender texture.
You can use the whole shrimp or ground shrimp to make shrimp balls. With the help of a food processor, you can turn whole shrimp into ground shrimp or shrimp paste. Shrimp paste will allow you to infuse it with spices and allow you to shape it into a ball shape more easily.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a finely ground powder obtained from corn. Cornstarch binds the shrimp mixture together, giving the shrimp balls a firm texture.
Wheat Flour
A pantry staple made from ground wheat grains. Wheat flour is combined with cornstarch to help hold the shrimp balls together and provide structure.
Glass Noodles
Glass noodles, also referred to as cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles, are thin and translucent noodles crafted from mung bean starch. Renowned for their chewy texture, glass noodles possess a remarkable ability to absorb the delightful flavors of the soup.
Glass noodles can be found at most grocery stores under the International aisle and in the Asian section. Or you can also find them in the Asian market. The most common type of glass noodles you can find in the US is made from mung bean starch, potato starch or sweet potato starch, and water. And if you can't find glass noodles, you can substitute for vermicelli noodles.
Vegetable Stock
A flavorful liquid made by simmering vegetables, herbs, and spices. The vegetable stock serves as the base of the soup, infusing it with savory notes and depth of flavor.
Coconut Amino
Soy sauce, a fundamental condiment in Chinese cooking, is crafted through the fermentation of soybeans. However, if you're seeking a gluten-free soy sauce, soy-free or lower-sodium alternative, consider exploring coconut aminos. Coconut aminos can provide a similar savory and umami flavor to your shrimp balls recipe, akin to soy sauce. It's a fantastic choice to contemplate for individuals with dietary restrictions or specific preferences.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a fragrant oil extracted from sesame seeds. Sesame oil lends a nutty and distinct flavor to the soup, enhancing its overall taste and aroma.
Salt and Pepper
Typical seasonings are employed to enrich the flavors of the soup and achieve a harmonious balance of taste.
