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Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

written by Marvellina Published: April 21, 2021
10.6K
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Savory soy milk soup lightly curdled by vinegar and served with Chinese fried crullers (you tiao) and other savory toppings are popular breakfast food in Taiwan. Learn how to put this together in no time.
Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

I have heard about this popular Taiwanese-style savory soy milk soup or known as xian dou jiang for a while but I haven’t had a chance to try this myself. I have only had the unsweetened soy milk soup with fried you tiao and also make the dou hua (soy milk pudding) served with ginger syrup. Xian means salty/savory and dou jiang means soy milk.

So I made some fresh soymilk using Instant Pot (without soaking) not too long ago and decided I want to try out this xian dou jiang.

The recipe rundown

1. Taste: Slightly tangy (from the vinegar), salty (from the pickled veggies, soy sauce, and other savory toppings you put), umami (if you include dried shrimp, I didn’t this round)
2. Texture: Silky smooth soy milk goes super well with that pair of crispy you tiao (Chinese fried crullers) and also some texture from other toppings you add on. I love that tiny little “curds” that form when you put vinegar into the soy milk
3. Level: Easy (if you use store-bought soy milk)

Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

How to easily make Taiwan xian dou jiang

1. Finely minced the pickled mustard and green onion.


2. If the youtiao is frozen, you can re-crisp them in the oven at 350 F (180 C) for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Separate the youtiao pair and cut into large pieces

3. When all the toppings are ready to go, pour the soymilk into a saucepan and bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to let it simmer for about 1 minute. Turn off the heat

4. Divide the soymilk into serving bowls, about 1 cup each. For EACH bowl, add 1 tsp of rice vinegar and then stir a little bit. You will see a very mild curdling going on because of the vinegar

Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

After vinegar is added you will see mild curds appearing

5. Next add 1 tsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of zha cai, a sprinkle of green onion, and serve with youtiao on the side
Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

Topping Ideas

What you want to put as toppings are really limitless. I’ve seen some people use tiny dried shrimp/ xiā pí (虾皮), preserved chai poh, strips of roasted seaweed, omelet strips, roasted peanuts, sesame oil, sesame seeds. Really…you are limit by your own creativity. What I used in this recipe are the most basic that you will see in most xian dou jiang.
Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

Did you make this xian dou jiang recipe?

I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag to show me what you’ve made 🙂 Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!
Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

Super Easy Soybean Pudding (Tau Foo Fah / Dou Hua)

Super Easy Soybean Pudding (Tau Foo Fah / Dou Hua)

If savory soymilk soup isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps you may be interested in this super easy soymilk pudding with ginger syrup.

You can also make your own unsweetened or sweetened soymilk easily with an Instant Pot without soaking
Easy Homemade Soy Milk (Instant Pot - No Soaking)

Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk Soup (Xian Dou Jiang)

Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang)

Servings 3 servings
5 from 4 reviews
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 750 ml unsweetened soymilk

Toppings (you can use any savory toppings you like):

  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp Chinese pickled mustard (zha cai)
  • 1 stalk green onion finely minced
  • 2 pairs you tiao Chinese fried crullers

Instructions
 

  • If you want to make your own soymilk, you can try this recipe. Otherwise, you can get store-bought organic unsweetened soymilk
  • Finely minced the pickled mustard and green onion. If the youtiao is frozen, you can re-crisp them in the oven at 350 F (180 C) for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Separate the youtiao pair and cut into large pieces
  • When all the toppings are ready to go, pour the soymilk into a saucepan and bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to let it simmer for about 1 minute. Turn off the heat

To put everything together:

  • Divide the soymilk into serving bowls, about 1 cup each. For EACH bowl, add 1 tsp of rice vinegar and then stir a little bit. You will see a very mild curdling going on because of the vinegar. Next add 1 tsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of zha cai, a sprinkle of green onion, and serve with youtiao on the side

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Taiwanese Savory Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang)
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
92
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Sodium
 
564
mg
25
%
Potassium
 
337
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
584
IU
12
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
321
mg
32
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I'd love to see your photos/videos on Instagram

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