From My Kitchen: The Magic of Homemade Chinese Soups

The Heart of the Home: A Personal Connection

I grew up with homemade Chinese soups at our dinner table. I took what I know and enjoy for granted until I stayed abroad for a couple of years. As I learnt to recreate the soups I love for myself, I thought I’d share the love, charm and magic of homemade Chinese soups.

Many Chinese restaurants serve wonderful luxurious soups with expensive ingredients and elaborate cooking techniques. They are both a feast for the eyes and for the stomach. A gastronomical experience!

But magical moments happened with homemade Chinese soups. Home-cooked, with simple ingredients, using simple cooking methods and basic cooking utensils. Served piping hot with love, and enjoyed in the company of loved ones or alone. 

Nourishing the Soul: From Homesickness to Healing

Are you far away from home too? Nurse your homesickness or cravings by replicating that well-loved soup from home. Increase your soup repertoire beyond a basic egg drop soup and throw some wonton parties for your new-found friends.

Are you exploring how food can heal your body? Soups have been my good friend: comforting me when I am sick or cold and pampering me when I have a tummy ache. I have even lost weight drinking soups. I’ll share some recipes that serve as natural remedies for certain ailments such as lupus, high blood pressure, gluten intolerance and the common cold. There are also cooking tips and recipes for the elderly, babies, and new mummies. 

Demystifying the Pantry: Chinese ingredients & Herbs

Are you intimidated by Chinese ingredients? I know many people are interested to make Chinese food but are unfamiliar with the ingredients. It would be a shame to let that stop people from enjoying Chinese soups.  I’ll introduce some key Chinese ingredients like Chinese herbs, black chicken, tofu, century egg as well as typical Chinese soup vegetables.  

My Simple Approach: Modern Shortcuts & Hacks

I’ll also cover preparation methods and cooking techniques, and some common kitchen equipment and appliances. 

I do not consider myself a great cook. I do not spend long hours in the kitchen, nor do I want to. The soups I make MUST be easy and hassle-free. Nothing fanciful or laborious. Simple, easy to make, for newbies, and especially those who think they can’t cook. So, expect short cuts and hacks.  

My late grandmother will shake her head at my minimalist cooking approach. What to do? I have been corrupted by modernity.  

The Librarian Who Cooks: A Curated Archive

I started the Homemade Chinese Soups website in 2006. So much have changed on the World Wide Web since then. So many websites on Chinese food have sprung up. There are also so many Youtubers and tik-tokers teaching Chinese cooking by show-and-tell. There are brilliant ones and there are many bad ones too. I find my occupation as a librarian wanting to sift and curate. So, you are likely to find curated lists of good recipes or videos here.  

I decided to archive my stories of making homemade Chinese soups and other types of cooking here under the category: Cooking.