Chinese Hot and Sour Soup (Suan La Tang) — Northern Style
Northern China — Beijing, Shandong
Suan la tang (酸辣汤) — hot and sour soup — is one of the most widely eaten Chinese soups, with Northern (Beijing/Shandong) and Southern (Sichuan) variants. The Northern version uses wood ear fungus, day lily buds, tofu, pork strips, and bamboo shoots in a white pepper and vinegar base. The heat comes entirely from white pepper (not chili) and the sour from Chinkiang vinegar — a balanced, warming soup.