He Jia Tuan Yuan (Tofu Ball Soup for Lunar Chinese New Year)

He Jia Tuan Yuan (Tofu Ball Soup for Lunar Chinese New Year)
  • PREP TIME
    15 mins
  • COOK TIME
    30 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    45 mins
  • SERVING
    5 People
  • VIEWS
    33

Embrace the spirit of togetherness with this comforting Tofu Ball Soup, a Lunar New Year tradition. Tender tofu and savory pork meatballs float in a delicate broth, symbolizing unity and family harmony. A simple yet deeply meaningful dish to celebrate the season.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    12 g
  • Cholesterol
    70 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    15 g
  • Saturated Fat
    4 g
  • Sodium
    786 mg
  • Sugar
    2 g
  • Fat
    15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
5 mins

In a large bowl, crumble the tofu with your hands or a spoon until it forms a smooth paste. (5 minutes)

02

Step
5 mins

Add the ground pork, cornstarch, egg, 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules (if using), and 1 teaspoon of salt to the tofu. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and form a cohesive mixture. (5 minutes)

03

Step
10 mins

In a large saucepan or pot, bring the water (or chicken broth) and vegetable oil to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. (10 minutes)

04

Step
15 mins

Using gloved hands or two spoons, shape the tofu mixture into small balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each. Gently slide each tofu ball into the simmering broth, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. (15 minutes)

05

Step
30 mins

Allow the tofu balls to simmer undisturbed until they rise to the surface and are cooked through. This should take about 25-30 minutes. Avoid stirring vigorously to prevent them from breaking apart.

06

Step
2 mins

Once the tofu balls are cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in the dried shrimp, pea vine shoots (or spinach), remaining 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules (if using), and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. (2 minutes)

07

Step
1 mins

Serve the soup hot, Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving has a generous amount of tofu balls, shrimp, and greens. Enjoy the flavors and the symbolism of unity and togetherness this soup represents.

For a richer flavor, substitute chicken broth for water.
If pea vine shoots are unavailable, spinach or other leafy greens can be used as a substitute.
Be gentle when forming and adding the tofu balls to prevent them from falling apart.
Adjust the amount of salt to your preference.
The soup can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently before serving. Add the pea vine shoots just before serving to maintain their freshness.
For a vegetarian version, omit the ground pork and use vegetable broth.
Dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced, can be added for extra flavor and texture.

Cali Satterfield

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 11 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (5)
  • Dexter Bayer

    My family loved this soup! It was a delicious and meaningful addition to our Lunar New Year dinner.

  • Aurelie Mann

    I'm not a big fan of tofu, but I really enjoyed this soup. The meatballs were so tender and flavorful.

  • Makenna Waters

    The tofu balls were surprisingly easy to make. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow.

  • Declan Runolfsdottir

    Next time, I'll try adding a touch of sesame oil to the soup for a nutty aroma.

  • Favian Dubuque

    I added some chopped shiitake mushrooms to the soup for extra umami flavor. It was a great addition!

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