There’s something undeniably satisfying about a piping-hot bowl of hot and sour soup. Its bold flavors and comforting warmth make it a favorite for food lovers across India. But with so many instant options available, how do you know which brand delivers the perfect balance of spice and sourness? We put four Best Hot and Sour Soup brands to the test to identify the very best.
Let’s discover which brand stood as the winner!
Table of Contents
Best Hot And Sour Soup Brands – Quick Glance
The table outlines the key details for all 4 brands tested:
| Hot And Sour Soup Brands | Mishry Rating | Buy Now |
| Bambino Souper Hot and Sour – Mishry Top Pick | 4 | On Amazon |
| Knorr Vegetable Hot And Sour | 3.5 | On Amazon |
| Ching’s Secret Hot And Sour | 3 | On Amazon |
| Oleev Kitchen Supr Soup | 2.75 | On Amazon |
Our Review Factors
We tested the four brands based on the following review parameters:
1. Flavor
- The key to a great instant hot and sour soup lies in its balanced flavor profile.
- The soup should strike the perfect harmony between spiciness and slight sourness.
- A hint of soy flavor is essential, but it should never dominate the palate or leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
- The interplay of heat and tanginess should be well-rounded, ensuring every sip is satisfying.
2. Consistency and Texture
The consistency of the soup plays a crucial role in its overall appeal. The ideal hot and sour soup should be thick yet flowy. It should not be overly watery or gloopy.
The texture of the vegetables and/or noodles, if included, is equally important. The cut of the veggies should be uniform, bite-sized, and easy to enjoy.
If the soup contains dehydrated vegetables, they should rehydrate well, retaining a fresh, slightly crisp texture.
3. Sodium Content
When reviewing soup powders, the sodium content is a crucial factor to consider alongside taste and consistency. Sodium plays a big role not only in flavor—acting as a seasoning to bring out the depth and richness of the soup—but also in how health-conscious consumers evaluate a product.
4. Overall Experience
The convenience of preparing the soup and the overall satisfaction it provides are just as important as the primary factors. The following factors add up to the overall experience:
- Cooking Time: Is the soup quick to prepare?
- Aroma: It should be inviting and pleasing.
- Mixability: The soup powder should be easy to mix to ensure a smooth, lump-free preparation.
- Yield: How many servings does a single pack yield? Does it justify the price of the product?
Quick Read: Ching’s Secret Cook Up Soups Review – We Tried 4 Variants!
Best Hot And Sour Soup Brands – Detailed Review
How Did We Conduct Our Review?
To ensure accuracy and consistency in our evaluation, the soups were prepared exactly as per the instructions provided on their packaging.
Each soup was tasted in two stages:
First tasting
Immediately after preparation. This helped assess the flavor, aroma, and consistency.
Second tasting
Once the soup had cooled down to a drinkable temperature. It was neither completely cold nor reheated. This was done to evaluate how the flavor and texture evolved after slight cooling.
Lastly, no additional garnishes, seasonings, or sauces were added during the review process.
Nutritional Label
The sodium content for each of the brands is outlined in the table below:
| Parameters/Brands | Bambino | Knorr | Ching’s | Oleev Kitchen |
| Sodium (per serve) | 473 mg | 401 mg | 942 mg | 6031 mg (per 100 gm) |
1. Bambino Souper Hot And Sour Vegetable Soup – Top Pick
Mishry’s Verdict
This hot and sour soup stands out among the other contenders. But, it still doesn’t quite reach the level of excellence required to make it a “must-try.” It delivers a flavor profile that’s true to the classic hot and sour soup experience.
The inclusion of peas adds some textural relief, and the vegetables retain a satisfying bite. The spiciness is well-rounded and the balance of tang and sourness is spot on.
In terms of the texture, the soup’s consistency is quite good. It’s neither too thick nor too thin. It strikes a nice balance, making it enjoyable to sip.
Ingredients
Starch, Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Dried vegetables (11% – Carrot (4%), Cabbage (2%), Peas (2%), Onion flakes (2%), Chives (1%)], Spices & Condiments, Onion powder, Soya sauce powder, Food colour (INS 150d), Flavour enhancers (INS 627& 631), Stabilizer (INS 415), Acidity regulator (INS 296 & 330), Interesterified vegetable fat (Trans fat free), Vinegar powder, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Milk solids, Anticaking agent (INS 551) and Artificial flavouring substance (Onion leek flavour).
Price + Packaging
Priced at ₹60 for 40 gm net weight, this product comes in a pouch pack. This has a shelf life of 9 months.
- Well rounded heat
- Excellent consistency
- The tang and sourness is just right
- Loaded with veggies
Those looking for a classic hot and sour soup experience with a good balance of heat and sourness from an instant pack, this is your best bet.
2. Knorr Vegetable Hot And Sour Soup – Also Recommended
Mishry’s Verdict
Knorr’s hot and sour soup comes in as the second-best option. It offers a good experience but falls short in delivering the bold flavor intensity. The flavor balance between the heat and sourness is pleasant but not the best. When it comes to the texture of the soup, the vegetables have not rehydrated as well as those in Bambino’s soup.
Its widespread availability makes it an easily accessible option.
Ingredients
- Maize Starch, Sugar, *Dehydrated Vegetables (Carrot flakes (4.6%), Cabbage Flakes (2.3%), Onion Bits (2.3%), Garlic Bits (1.2%), Leeks (1%)), Noodles (9.3%) (Refined Wheat Flour (Maida), Palm Oil/ Palmolein, iodised salt, Wheat Gluten, Acidity Regulator – 500(ii), Texturizer – 451(i), Thickener – 415, Antioxidant – 319), lodised salt, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, and Potassium Chloride
- Flavours – Nature Identical Flavouring substances (Soya Sauce), Spices & Condiments (Chillies (0.8%)), Food Colour – Caramel IV, Acidity Regulator-296 & 330, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Thickener – 415, Flavour Enhancer – 627 & 631, Oleoresin Chilli.
- Contains Wheat and Soya, May Contain Traces of Milk, Mustard, Celery & Nuts.
Price + Packaging
This product is available in a 41g plastic pouch, priced at 65. It offers a shelf life of 1 year.
Related Read: Knorr International Soups review!
- Easily available
- Decent consistency
- Flavor balance is maintained
- Less intense flavors.
- The veggies don’t rehydrate well
Those looking for a reliable and easily available hot and sour soup option for a quick meal or snack.
3. Ching’s Secret Hot And Sour Soup
Mishry’s Verdict
This soup ranks second last on the list due to multiple shortcomings in both flavor and overall quality. The most noticeable flaw is its overpowering soy flavor, which dominates the entire flavor profile. The vegetables in the soup are another disappointment. They fail to deliver the crunch one expects in a good hot and sour soup.
The consistency of the soup is thin but thickens very quickly. Moreover, the mixability is another drawback as even with continuous stirring lumps form in the soup.
Visually, the soup looks unappetizing and has the darkest color among other contenders.
Ingredients
- Potato Starch, Dried Glucose Syrup, Dehydrated Vegetables (16.5%) [Carrot, French Beans, Parsley, Cabbage], iodised Salt, Sugar, Mixed Spices (Chilli Powder, Pepper Powder), Flavour Enhancer (INS 635), Dehydrated Garlic, Natural Colour (INS 150d), Soy Sauce Powder (Soybean, Wheat, Salt), Acidity Regulator (INS 296), Onion Powder, Anticaking Agent (INS 551), Yeast Extract, Thickener (INS 415), Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavouring Substances.
- Allergen Advice: Contains: Wheat and Soy. May contain: Mustard, Milk and Celery.
Price + Packaging
Ching’s Secret Hot And Sour Soup retails at a cost of Rs. 10 for a 12 gm pack. This has a plastic pouch packaging with a shelf life of 1 year.
4. Oleev Kitchen Supr Soup
Mishry’s Verdict
The worst of the lot, this soup is overly sweet with a ketchup-like taste and a lingering unpleasant aftertaste. The artificial soy aroma and overpowering garlic and soy flavors dominate, resulting in an unbalanced flavor profile. The expected tanginess and heat are underwhelming, further diminishing its appeal.
Additionally, the dehydrated vegetable bits are extremely small and lack the desired freshness. While the addition of prebiotics and probiotics is positive, the poor flavor and texture overshadow these benefits.
Ingredients
Edible Starch, Dehydrated Vegetables (23%) Onion, Cabbage, Garlic, Carrot, Tomato), Sugar, Iodized Salt. prebiotic (Short Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharide), Acidity regulator (INS 260), Natural and Nature-Identical Flavoring substances, Mixed Spices (2.5%) (Chilli, Black Pepper, Ginger), Soy Sauce Powder, Natural Color (INS 150 d). Brown Sugar, probiotic (Bacillus coagulans SNZ1969^), Anticaking Agent NS 551) and Spice Extract.
Price + Packaging
This hot and sour soup costs Rs. 49 for 45 gm net weight. Packed in an orange pouch, this comes with a shelf life of 9 months.
Check out our detailed review on Oleev Kitchen’s New Supr Soup Range!
Top Picks & Recommendations
Bambino Souper Hot and Sour Vegetable Soup was the best among the contenders. It offers a well-balanced tang and heat with a decent consistency and ample veggies.
We also recommend Knorr Vegetable Hot and Sour Soup. It has a decent flavor profile, though it lacks the depth and intensity of our top pick. Plus, its wide availability makes it a convenient option to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some interesting FAQs on Best Hot And Sour Soup Brands review:
Yes. All the above tested soups are suitable for vegetarians.
Yes, you can add extra vegetables or a source of protein to these soups to make them more filling.
These ready-to-eat soups often contain preservatives and added flavors, which may not make them the healthiest option. It’s important to check the sodium content as well, ensuring the soup aligns with your dietary preferences.
A popular Chinese dish known for its unique combination of hot spices and sour vinegar, creating a complex and satisfying flavor.
Final Words
In conclusion, Bambino Souper Hot and Sour Vegetable Soup leads the review with its balanced flavors, decent texture, and generous veggies. Knorr Vegetable Hot and Sour Soup despite some minor drawbacks, offered a convenient and readily available option.
Ching’s Secret Hot & Sour Soup, while quick to prepare, disappoints with its unbalanced soy flavor. At the bottom of the list, unfortunately, is Oleev Kitchen Supr Soup. It fails on multiple fronts with its overly sweet, artificial taste and unpleasant aftertaste, making it a clear miss.
