Hulatang facts for kids
A bowl of hulatang
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| Alternative names | Spicy soup, Hot Pepper soup |
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| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | Henan |
| Region or state | Xi'an, Henan |
| Main ingredients | Beef broth, capsicum, black pepper |
| Hulatang | |||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 胡辣汤 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 胡辣湯 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | peppery and spicy soup | ||||||
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Hulatang, also called hot pepper soup or spicy soup, is a traditional Chinese soup. It began in Henan Province and became very popular in Shaanxi Province. Chinese people who moved to the United States also brought this tasty soup with them.
The name "Hulatang" literally means "peppery and spicy soup." This is because it uses lots of capsicum (chili peppers) and black pepper. These spices are added to a warm broth, usually made from beef. There are two main types of Hulatang in Henan: the Xiaoyaozhen version and the Beiwudu version.
Contents
The History of Hulatang
We don't know the exact start date of Hulatang. However, we know that pepper, a key ingredient, came to China during the Tang Dynasty. So, the soup likely appeared sometime after that, possibly around the Song Dynasty.
Over many years, Hulatang has changed a lot. Different parts of China have their own versions. They add ingredients that local people like. But two things always stay the same:
- It's always very spicy with lots of pepper.
- The soup is always thick and sticky.
Besides pepper, other spices are often added. These can include ginger, aniseed, and fennel. These spices make the soup even more flavorful and spicy.
Today, Hulatang is a very popular breakfast dish in northern China. A bowl of this soup usually costs around four Yuan. The price can change depending on the restaurant and what ingredients are in the soup.
Different Kinds of Hulatang
Hulatang has many different styles. Each one offers a unique taste!
Beiwudu Hulatang
The Hulatang from Beiwudu is made with many different spices. This makes the soup a dark color. It tastes very hot because of the strong black pepper. Sometimes, Beiwudu Hulatang is called "eight treasures soup." This name means it has many ingredients. These often include:
Xiaoyaozhen Hulatang
The main difference between the Beiwudu and Xiaoyaozhen soups is the mix of spices. People don't know the exact recipe differences. However, the Xiaoyaozhen hot pepper soup is more common. This is because people from Xiaoyaozhen moved to other places and shared their soup.
Xiaoyaozhen was once an important town. This was due to busy canal transportation during the Song Dynasty. So, Hulatang spread with people who traveled for work. Today, Xiaoyaozhen Hulatang is one of the most important types of this soup.
Xi'an Hulatang with Meatballs
Xi'an Hulatang also has a long history. It developed as people moved between Shaanxi and Henan. People in Xi'an changed some of the ingredients to fit local tastes. They often add:
- Meatballs
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Other vegetables
Xi'an Hulatang is sometimes served with pieces of flatbread. This bread is often torn up and mixed into the soup.
What's in Hulatang?
The main ingredients for Hulatang usually include:
- Cooked beef
- Beef soup
- Flour (to thicken it)
- Vermicelli
- Kelp
- Spinach
- Pepper
- Ginger
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Sesame oil
Hulatang's Impact Today
Making Hulatang has become a big business. This has helped many people. For example, people in Xiaoyaozhen now package the ingredients and spices. They sell them online to people all over the world.
Because of these small packages, more beef and mutton are needed. Also, more workers are needed in Xiaoyaozhen. This has created many jobs for local people. The government is also helping people start their own businesses selling this popular soup.
