Summer Okra
Shrimp Egg Drop Soup

A light and refreshing summer soup featuring star-shaped okra, tender shrimp, and delicate egg ribbons in a clear, savory broth.

Ingredients

• 150 g fresh okra
• 100 g shrimp, deveined
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tbsp corn oil
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 g salt
• to taste Sichuan peppercorn powder
• to taste white pepper powder
• 1 stalk green onion, chopped
• optional fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. 1Sauté the green onions

   

   Add a small amount of corn oil to a glass pot and heat it over a medium flame. Toss in the finely chopped green onions and sauté them until they become fragrant, which serves as the aromatic foundation for the soup broth.

   Tip: Be careful not to brown the onions too much; you just want to release their aroma into the oil.
2. 2Season with soy sauce

   

   Pour approximately one tablespoon of light soy sauce into the pot with the sautéed onions. The soy sauce will sizzle slightly, infusing the oil with a savory, umami depth and a light amber color.

   Tip: If the pot is very hot, stir immediately to prevent the soy sauce from sticking or burning.
3. 3Add Sichuan peppercorn powder

   

   Use a manual spice mill to grind a small amount of Sichuan peppercorn powder directly into the pot. This adds a subtle, citrusy numbness that balances the sweetness of the shrimp and okra later on.

   Tip: Freshly grinding the peppercorns ensures a more potent and floral aroma compared to pre-ground powder.
4. 4Pour in boiling water

   

   Carefully pour boiling water from a kettle into the glass pot. Starting with boiling water helps maintain the temperature of the pot and allows the soup base to emulsify quickly into a flavorful broth.

   Tip: Using boiling water instead of cold water prevents the oil from splattering excessively and saves time.
5. 5Add sliced okra to the soup

   

   Once the soup base is prepared with the aromatics and boiling water, add the freshly sliced okra rounds into the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and continue to cook until the liquid reaches a rolling boil.

   Tip: Okra cooks very quickly, so keep the heat high and the lid on to steam them perfectly while maintaining their vibrant green color.
6. 6Drizzle in the egg ribbons

   

   Turn off the heat and slowly drizzle the beaten egg liquid into the hot soup using a spoon to guide it. This technique creates delicate, wispy egg ribbons that float beautifully on the surface of the broth.

   Tip: Turning off the heat before adding the egg ensures the ribbons stay soft and silky rather than becoming rubbery from boiling.
7. 7Incorporate the fresh shrimp

   

   With the egg ribbons already formed and floating on the surface, gently add the raw, deveined grey shrimp into the simmering soup. The shrimp will cook rapidly in the hot liquid, adding a sweet seafood depth to the broth.

   Tip: Shrimp become tough if overcooked; remove the pot from the heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink.
8. 8Season with salt

   

   Add about two grams of salt to the bubbling soup. This simple seasoning enhances the natural flavors of the shrimp and okra without overpowering the light and refreshing quality of the broth.

   Tip: Always taste your soup before the final serve; you can adjust the salt level slightly higher if you prefer a bolder flavor.
9. 9Add fresh herbs

   

   To finish the soup, sprinkle in a generous handful of freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. These herbs provide a burst of color and a fresh aroma that perfectly complements the light egg and seafood base.

   Tip: Add the herbs at the very end to keep them from wilting too much and to preserve their bright, fresh taste.
10. 10Finish with white pepper

    

    As the final touch, grind some white pepper powder over the surface of the soup. This adds a subtle, warm spice that rounds out the flavors of the shrimp and egg, making the dish truly comforting.

    Tip: White pepper is preferred over black pepper in this recipe to maintain the clear, clean aesthetic of the soup broth.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions