Hototay Soup Recipe
Hototay is a rich and delicious soup dish composed of various ingredients โ pork, Hototay (pronounced hoh-toh-tie) is a flavorful and healthy soup made with a variety of ingredients like pork, chicken, and liver.
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The name “hototay” is often said to derive from the Cantonese phrase “hou dou dai,” which means “good to the last drop,” reflecting the dishโs satisfying nature. However, some also claim that it comes from the Chinese term “Huo Tiao,” meaning “spicy soup” or “hot soup.” Regardless of its exact etymology, our healthy hototay has been embraced and adapted by Filipino cooks! This dish has been adopted by Filipinos and is now a beloved part of Filipino cuisine, much like siopao and siomai. I think of hototay as an egg drop soup with extra special touches. Let’s learn more about healthy hototay soup, including how to cook it.

How To Cook Hototay
Sautรฉing garlic and onion
Begin by heating 1/4 cup of cooking oil in a pot. Once the oil is hot, add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and 1 medium-sized quartered onion. Sautรฉ these until the onion becomes soft, which releases their flavors and forms a fragrant base for the soup.
stir-frying the sliced pork, shredded chicken, and pork liver
Next, add 1/2 pound of thinly sliced pork to the pot. Cook until the pork turns light brown, enhancing the soupโs flavor. Then, add 1/2 pound of shredded boiled chicken and 1/4 pound of thinly sliced pig liver. Cook this mixture for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure the meat is well incorporated and flavorful.
Creating the Broth with Chicken Stock
Pour in 4 to 6 cups of chicken stock or broth, which adds depth and richness to your Hototay soup. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 7 to 10 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Adding Vegetables and seasoning for this healthy soup
After simmering, add 1 cup of sliced carrots, 1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh Shiitake mushrooms, and 2 cups of chopped Napa cabbage. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes, which helps to soften the vegetables while preserving their nutrients. Next, season the soup with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Stir well and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Once done, turn off the heat and ladle the healthy Hototay soup into individual serving bowls.
Garnishing with Egg and Green Onions
Finally, crack one fresh egg into each bowl and sprinkle with finely chopped green onions for garnish. Serve the soup hot and enjoy the nourishing flavors with family and friends!
If you want to add wontons to your Hototay soup, itโs perfectly acceptable. You can include other ingredients according to your preference, as long as you maintain the soupโs healthy qualities and not miss on the complete list of our ingredients.

Hototay Ingredients
These ingredients are commonly found in local markets, and if you canโt find them there, the nearest large supermarket will likely have them. Letโs look at the ingredients and explore the health benefits they offer in our healthy soup!
- 1/2ย lbย porkย sliced thinly โ Provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients like zinc and iron, which support muscle health and immune function.
- 1/2ย lbย boiled chickenย shredded โ Offers lean protein, low in fat, and is a good source of B vitamins and selenium, important for energy production and antioxidant protection.
- 1/4ย lbย pig liverย sliced thinly โ Rich in vitamin A, iron, and B vitamins, particularly B12, which are vital for vision, blood health, and energy metabolism.
- 4 to 6ย cupsย chicken stock or chicken broth โ Supplies hydration and essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that support bone health and overall fluid balance. Not to mention the additional boost of chicken flavor in our healthy hototay soup!
- 2ย cupsย Napa cabbageย chopped โ Provides fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants that aid digestion, support immune function, and promote bone health.
- 1 1/2ย cupsย fresh Shiitake mushroomsย chopped โ Offer antioxidants, vitamins D and B, and minerals like selenium, which support immune health and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Alternatives to Shiitake mushrooms โ Cremini mushrooms or enoki mushrooms can be good alternatives, and if you canโt find these, canned mushrooms (stems and pieces) or wood ear mushrooms (locally known as “tenga ng daga”) from local groceries will work as well. However, keep in mind that they will have a slightly different texture and taste in the soup.
- 1ย cupย carrotsย sliced โ High in beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and supports vision health, immune function, and skin health.
- 1ย cupย green onionย chopped finely โ Contains vitamins A and C, and antioxidants that promote heart health, boost the immune system, and contribute to overall well-being.
- 1 medium-sized onion, quartered โ For the sweet crunch and aroma. Nutritional benefits of onion include antioxidants, vitamins C and B6, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- 2 tbsp garlic, minced โ Because soup deserves garlicky smell and flavor! Also, nutritional benefits of garlic include immune-boosting properties, antioxidants, and cardiovascular health support.
- 1/4 cup cooking oil โ Used to sautรฉ our aromatics.
- 1 egg โ We will serve our healthy hototay with a freshly cracked egg on top. If you donโt prefer the egg served this way, you can boil it first.
How To Serve Hototay
To serve hototay, first transfer it from the pot into individual serving bowls. Gently crack one egg into each bowl, allowing it to cook slightly in the hot broth for added richness. Sprinkle finely chopped green onions on top as a fresh garnish. Filipinos also love squeezing some lime or calamansi on top of warm soup! You can complement it with fried wontons or garlic bread for a complete meal. Serve the soup hot to enjoy its full flavor and warmth. This dish is perfect for sharing, so gather your friends and family and savor the rich, comforting taste together. Enjoy every slurp of this healthy hototay!
Wor Won Ton Soup Vs. Hototay
Some people claim that our healthy hototay is the Filipino version of wor wonton soup, but I believe itโs distinct from this comparison. Unlike wor wonton soup, which features wontons, hototay does not include wontons and stays true to its own unique preparation. Instead, hototay is a healthy soup that resembles an egg drop soup but is enhanced with a variety of vegetables and additional proteins. Its clear, nutritious broth and diverse ingredients make it a distinctive and healthy choice!
Looking For Other Soup Recipes?
If youโd like to try something healthy on another day, here are some soup recipes you might enjoy next time.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

Hototay Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb pork sliced thinly
- 1/2 lb boiled chicken shredded
- 1/4 lb pig liver sliced thinly
- 1 egg
- 4 to 6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
- 2 cups Napa cabbage chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Shiitake mushrooms chopped
- 1 cup carrots sliced
- 1 cup green onion chopped finely
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a cooking pot.3 tablespoons cooking oil
- Saute garlic and onion.3 cloves garlic, 1 onion
- When the onion becomes soft, add the pork and cook until the color turns light brown.1/2 lb pork
- Put-in the chicken and liver, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.1/2 lb boiled chicken, 1/4 lb pig liver
- Pour-in the chicken stock or chicken broth. Let boil and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes.4 to 6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
- Add carrots and mushroom. Stir and cook for 3 minutes.1 cup carrots, 1 1/2 cups Shiitake mushrooms
- Put-in the Napa cabbage, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.2 cups Napa cabbage
- Turn off heat, and then transfer to individual serving bowls.
- Crack and place one egg per bowl. Sprinkle green onions on top to garnish.1 cup green onion, 1 egg
- Serve hot. Share and enjoy!
Vanjo Merano says
You’re welcome Jo
Cherry says
Wow!! I’ll give that one a try.
rowena teodoro indiana says
its delicious i try on sunday to sever to all my daughters and my apo thnnks
Pedro says
Do you have a recipes of rellenong bangus and how to cook it
chickencubes says
yummy! ^_^