Chinese Style Spinach Soup (上汤苋菜) is one of those classic dishes you’ll often see on restaurant menus — but it’s actually very easy to make at home. With a fragrant broth made from ikan bilis (dried anchovies), garlic, and ginger, then enriched with salted egg and century egg, this soup is full of umami and nutrition.
I recommend using baby spinach as the leaves are tender and cook quickly. The only bit of work is washing the spinach thoroughly — sometimes it takes up to 6 or 7 rinses to remove all the dirt. But once that’s done, the soup comes together fast and makes a healthy, homely dish perfect for family meals.
What type of Spinach is used in this recipe?
The spinach used for this recipe is Chinese Amaranth round spinach. It’s called yin choy (莧菜) in Cantonese and xiàncài (苋菜) in Mandarin. I used the baby version.
If you love this Chinese Style Spinach Soup Recipe, you might also like my Lotus Root with Peanut Soup Recipe.
Cooking Tips:
Spinach: Baby spinach works best — tender and cooks quickly. Wash thoroughly to remove grit.
Ikan bilis: Pat dry before frying to avoid oil splatters and to bring out fragrance.
Broth choice: Water gives a lighter soup, chicken stock adds richness.
Century egg timing: Always add at the end to keep the soup clear and appetizing.
No lid: Don’t cover the pot after adding spinach — it helps the greens stay vibrant.
This Chinese Style Spinach Soup is fragrant, nourishing, and full of flavor from salted egg, century egg, and ikan bilis. It’s a dish that feels special like something you’d order at a restaurant, yet it’s simple enough to make at home for a comforting family dinner.
Do try this recipe — I’m sure it’ll become a regular at your table.
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Print Recipe for Chinese Style Spinach Soup Recipe:
Spinach in Superior Soup
Ingredients
- 500 grams baby spinach 500克苋菜
- 15 grams ikan bilis 15克江鱼仔
- 3-4 cloves garlic 3-4瓣大蒜 （切大丁） roughly chopped
- 2-3 slices ginger 2-3片姜
- 1 salted egg + 1 salted egg yolk 1个咸蛋+1个咸蛋黄
- 1-2 century egg 1-2个皮蛋
- 500 ml water/chicken stock 500毫升水/鸡汤
- 3 grams goji berry 3克枸杞 (冲洗） rinsed clean
- pinch of salt 少许盐
Instructions
- Cook salted eggs in boiling water, remove the shell and cut the salted eggs into small cubes.
- Remove the shell, then cut century eggs into cubes.
- Wash the spinach thoroughly, rinsing multiple times until the water runs clear. Cut off the lower part of the spinach (near the roots). Set aside.
- Rinse the ikan bilis, then soak for 10-15. Discard water and pat dry.
- Heat a wok or pot with a some oil. Add garlic, ginger, and dried ikan bilis. Fry until the ikan bilis turns golden brown and fragrant.
- Add the spinach and toss a few times. Do not cover the pot, as spinach will lose its vibrant color if steamed under a lid
- Add salted egg. Then pour in water/chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
- Add goji berry and century eggs and season with salt. Toss a few times.