What To Serve With Hot And Sour Soup? 16 Best Side Dishes

Hot and sour soup is a classic favorite, known for its bold flavors that blend spicy and tangy notes perfectly. To accompany such a distinctive soup, it's important to pick side dishes that harmonize with its taste without overshadowing it.

Here are 16 side dishes that achieve just that, adding balance and variety to your meal.

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The best side dishes to serve with hot and sour soup are fried rice, beef and broccoli, buttered noodles, cashew chicken, potstickers, spring rolls, char siu, bok choy, crispy tofu, steamed dumplings, sautéed green beans, garlic spinach, Asian cucumber salad, and sesame noodles.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Fried Rice

Fried rice is a fantastic companion to hot and sour soup, offering a hearty and customizable option to soak up the soup's bold flavors. With its golden, crispy edges and soft center, fried rice introduces a satisfying texture. Incorporating vegetables, eggs, or even some shrimp can elevate the dish, making each bite a perfect blend of flavors that harmonizes with the soup.

2. Beef And Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is a robust dish that pairs beautifully with the sharpness of hot and sour soup. The beef's richness and the broccoli's freshness create a dynamic contrast. Simmered in a savory sauce that mirrors the soup's complexity, this dish adds a protein-rich element to your meal, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling dining experience.

3. Buttered Noodles

For a simple yet comforting side, buttered noodles are a top choice. Their light, buttery flavor provides a smooth counterpoint to the soup's intensity. This dish's simplicity is its strength, offering a soothing texture and taste that complements without competing with the main dish's vibrant flavors.

4. Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken is a delightful mix of crunchy cashews and tender chicken, all tossed in a rich, savory sauce. It's a dish that brings a wonderful array of textures and flavors to the table, making it an ideal match for the soup's tangy and spicy notes. The cashews add a nutty depth that pairs excellently with the complexity of the soup.

5. Potstickers

Potstickers offer a delightful contrast in textures, from their crispy bottoms to the soft, flavorful filling inside. They're a crowd-pleaser that pairs excellently with hot and sour soup, providing a chewy component that complements the soup's broth. Dipping them in a side of soy sauce or vinegar can enhance their flavor, making each bite a perfect combination with the soup.

6. Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a light and fresh option that introduces a crisp texture to your meal. Filled with vegetables, and sometimes shrimp or pork, they offer a clean, refreshing taste that balances the soup's richness. The sheer variety of fillings allows for customization to match the soup's flavor profile perfectly.

7. Char Siu

Char siu, with its distinctive sweet and savory glaze, adds a unique element to the meal. The smoky undertones and tender texture of the pork provide a hearty side that stands up to the soup's bold flavors. It's a dish that brings a satisfying richness, making the overall meal more diverse and enjoyable.

8. Bok Choy

Bok choy adds a fresh, crunchy element to the meal when served alongside hot and sour soup. This leafy green is lightly cooked to retain its crisp texture and natural sweetness, offering a clean, refreshing break from the soup's intensity. It's a healthy side that brings a pop of color and a dose of vitamins to your table.

9. Crispy Tofu

Crispy tofu is a wonderful choice for adding protein and texture to your meal. Its golden exterior gives way to a soft, chewy inside, providing a delightful contrast to the soup. Marinating the tofu before frying can infuse it with flavors that complement the soup, making each bite a harmonious blend of taste and texture.

10. Steamed Dumplings

Steamed dumplings are a comforting addition, filled with either vegetables or meat. They're soft and tender, making them a perfect match for the soup's complex flavors. Dipping them in a side of soy sauce or chili oil can enhance their taste, creating a satisfying combination with the hot and sour soup.

11. Green Beans

Sautéed green beans bring a vibrant and crunchy side to the table. Quickly cooked with garlic and a touch of soy sauce, they offer a bright flavor that pairs well with the soup. This dish adds a textural contrast and a fresh note to your meal, balancing out the soup's richness.

12. Garlic Spinach

Garlic spinach is a simple yet flavorful dish that complements the soup beautifully. The spinach is wilted to perfection and flavored with garlic, providing a subtle yet rich side that enhances the overall meal. It's a quick and easy way to add greens to your dinner, making the meal more balanced and nutritious.

13. Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian cucumber salad is a refreshing side that offers a cool contrast to the hot and sour soup. With its crisp cucumber slices and a tangy dressing, it cleanses the palate and refreshes your taste buds. This salad is perfect for adding a light, fresh component to your meal.

14. Sesame Noodles

Sesame noodles offer a delightful mix of chewy noodles coated in a savory, sesame-flavored sauce. They're an excellent side dish that adds a comforting, hearty element to your meal. The sesame seeds sprinkle on top add a nutty flavor and a slight crunch, complementing the soup's spicy and tangy profile.

15. Sweet and Sour Eggplant

Sweet and sour eggplant is a delightful addition to the meal, offering a unique blend of flavors that mirrors the soup's tangy profile. The eggplant is cooked until tender, then tossed in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce, creating a dish that's both comforting and enticing. Its rich texture and the balance of sweetness and acidity make it a great complement to the soup, adding depth and variety to your meal.

16. Lemongrass Chicken Skewers

Lemongrass chicken skewers bring a smoky and aromatic element to the table. Marinated with lemongrass, garlic, and a hint of chili, these skewers are grilled to perfection, offering a charred exterior and juicy interior. The lemongrass provides a citrusy fragrance that pairs beautifully with the hot and sour soup, introducing a refreshing and flavorful protein option.