West Lake Beef and Tofu Soup

Instructions

1. 1Toss the minced beef with 1 tsp of the cornstarch, 1 tsp grated ginger and the egg white. Rest 10 minutes — this is the velveting step that keeps the beef silky.

   牛肉上浆10分钟

   🔍 Look for Low heat 10 分钟 · 10 minutes

   Visual: 牛肉表面发亮微黏，裹着一层薄白浆Beef looks glossy and slightly sticky, coated in a thin white film

   You know it's right when: 捏起时肉末成团，不会干散When you pinch it, the mince holds together instead of crumbling dry

2. 2Bring stock to a bare simmer with the diced shiitake and remaining ginger. Cook 5 minutes so the mushroom flavour moves into the broth.

   香菇先煮出味

   🔍 Look for Medium-low 5 分钟 · 5 minutes

   Visual: 汤色转浅褐，香菇丁轻轻浮动Broth takes on a light brown tint; shiitake dice float and bob gently

   You know it's right when: 蒸汽带土壤与鲜香味，不再是单调的高汤味Steam smells earthy and savoury rather than plain stock

3. 3Add the tofu dice and simmer 3 minutes, stirring only with the back of a spoon so the cubes stay whole.

   豆腐轻推勿搅

   🔍 Look for Medium-low 3 分钟 · 3 minutes

   Visual: 豆腐丁棱角完整，边角略呈半透明Tofu cubes stay square-edged and look slightly translucent at the corners

   You know it's right when: 轻敲锅身豆腐会颤动，汤中没有白色碎屑浑浊Cubes jiggle when you tap the pot, but no white crumbs cloud the broth

4. 4Scatter the marinated beef into the simmering broth a little at a time, stirring gently to separate the grains. Cook 2 minutes.

   牛肉分次下锅

   🔍 Look for Medium-low 2 分钟 · 2 minutes

   Visual: 牛肉粒由粉转浅褐，颗粒分明不结团Beef grains turn from pink to pale brown and stay separate, not clumped

   You know it's right when: 汤仍近清澈——若发灰浑浊说明火太大Broth stays nearly clear — if it turns grey and cloudy, the heat was too high

5. 5Stir the remaining cornstarch with 3 tbsp cold water, pour it in slowly while stirring, and simmer 1 minute until the soup is lightly thickened.

   淀粉水勾薄芡

   🔍 Look for Medium-low 1 分钟 · 1 minute

   Visual: 汤体变亮，勺痕能停留一瞬Soup becomes glossy and holds faint spoon trails for a second

   You know it's right when: 气泡由细密急促转为缓慢透亮Bubbles turn from fast and small to slow and glassy

6. 6Season with white pepper and salt to taste. Turn off the heat, stir in scallion, and serve immediately in warmed bowls.

   关火再下葱花

   🔍 Look for Low heat 1 分钟 · 1 minute

   Visual: 浅琥珀色汤中悬浮牛肉粒、白色豆腐与绿色葱花Pale amber soup with suspended beef grains, white tofu and green scallion

   You know it's right when: 第一口先鲜后暖辣，无淀粉味残留First spoonful tastes savoury then warmly peppery, with no starchy aftertaste