Lazy Wonton Soup Recipe

Name: Lazy Wonton Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 quarts chicken stock or broth; 1 bunch green onions, divided; 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced; 1 (3-inch) piece ginger, peeled, or 2 teaspoons ground ginger, divided; 2 Tablespoons soy Sauce, plus more to taste; 1 1/2 teaspoons rice or white vinegar; 1 Tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, divided; 1 pound ground pork; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 3 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped (about 3 cups); 20 wonton wrappers, cut into quarters; Sriracha Hot Sauce or Chili Crunch (optional)

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe yields 6 servings. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged.

2 quarts chicken stock or broth
1 bunch green onions, divided
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled, or 2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 pound ground pork
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped (about 3 cups)
20 wonton wrappers, cut into quarters
Sriracha hot sauce or chili crunch (optional)

Directions

Step 1: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, place the chicken stock over medium-high heat. Slice the white parts of the green onions into 1-inch pieces and add them to the broth. Add the garlic clove and the fresh ginger (or ground ginger) to the stock.

Step 2: Stir in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: While the broth is heating, place the ground pork in a separate bowl. Finely slice the remaining green parts of the green onions and set aside 3 tablespoons for garnish. Add the rest of the sliced onions to the pork, along with the remaining ginger, soy sauce, salt, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.

Step 4: Form the pork mixture into 1-inch meatballs or use a spoon to drop heaping teaspoons of the mixture into the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the meatballs for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add the wonton wrappers, chopped bok choy, and additional soy sauce to taste. Stir occasionally and cook for an additional 8 minutes, or until the wontons are tender and the bok choy is wilted.

Step 6: Serve the soup in bowls, garnishing with the reserved green onions. For an extra kick, drizzle with Sriracha hot sauce or sprinkle chili crunch on top, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 418
Total Fat: 21g (27% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 7g (36% Daily Value)
Cholesterol: 107mg (36% Daily Value)
Sodium: 2213mg (96% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate: 25g (9% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (5% Daily Value)
Total Sugars: 5g
Protein: 30g (60% Daily Value)
Vitamin C: 9mg (10% Daily Value)
Calcium: 88mg (7% Daily Value)
Iron: 3mg (16% Daily Value)
Potassium: 569mg (12% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Story Behind Lazy Wonton Soup

Lazy Wonton Soup is a modern twist on traditional Chinese wonton soup, designed for home cooks who want the comforting flavors of this classic dish without the labor-intensive process of hand-wrapping each wonton. The idea emerged as a practical adaptation, especially in busy urban households where time is limited. Instead of meticulously folding individual wontons, small pork meatballs are dropped directly into a ginger-infused broth alongside quartered wonton wrappers, preserving the essence of the original soup while simplifying the preparation.

Regional Variations

In China, wonton soups vary significantly by region. Cantonese versions are typically lighter with a clear broth, while Sichuan-style soups might include spicy chili oil and bold aromatics. Lazy Wonton Soup draws inspiration from the Cantonese approach, favoring a delicate, gingery broth. Home cooks outside of China often add locally available greens like spinach or kale in place of bok choy, showing how the recipe adapts to regional ingredient availability without losing its comforting appeal.

How It Differs from Similar Dishes

Unlike traditional wonton soup, which requires skillful folding of the dumplings, Lazy Wonton Soup is less labor-intensive. The meatballs serve as a practical substitute, providing the same rich texture and flavor while eliminating the intricate wrapping step. This makes it distinct from other Asian dumpling soups like Japanese gyoza soup or Korean mandu-guk, where each dumpling is carefully shaped. The simplified approach makes it more approachable for weeknight cooking while maintaining authentic tastes.

Where Its Typically Served

Lazy Wonton Soup is a versatile dish that can be served at home for casual family dinners, in small cafes, or at lunch spots specializing in quick Asian-inspired meals. Its ease of preparation makes it ideal for both individual servings and larger gatherings. In some modern Chinese restaurants abroad, you might even see it offered as a quick version of wonton soup, catering to diners looking for traditional flavors in less time.

Interesting Facts

The term lazy in the name highlights the shortcut method, emphasizing convenience without compromising taste.
Using quartered wonton wrappers creates a delicate texture similar to small dumplings, offering a playful twist on tradition.
Ginger and garlic are essential not only for flavor but also for their natural warming and digestive properties, which have been valued in Chinese cuisine for centuries.
This soup is often customized by adding leftover vegetables or pre-cooked meatballs, demonstrating the flexibility of Asian home cooking.
Despite its simplicity, it delivers high nutritional value, combining protein-rich pork with fresh greens in a savory, lightly seasoned broth.

Lazy Wonton Soup has become a beloved adaptation that preserves the heart of traditional Chinese wonton soup while making it accessible for modern kitchens worldwide. Its combination of simplicity, flavor, and adaptability ensures it will remain a favorite for years to come.

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FAQ about Lazy Wonton Soup Recipe

Yes, you can use frozen wonton wrappers. Just make sure to thaw them properly before using them in the soup. Be cautious, as they can stick together if not separated carefully.

To prevent the wonton wrappers from sticking, add them to the soup in small batches, allowing them to cook for a minute or two before adding more. Stir gently to avoid clumping.

Yes, you can substitute the ground pork with other proteins such as ground chicken, turkey, or beef. However, the flavor and texture may vary slightly.

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind that the wonton wrappers may become soggy over time. You can also store the broth and meatballs separately for better texture when reheating.

Yes, you can freeze the soup. It's best to freeze the broth and meatballs separately from the wonton wrappers. When you're ready to eat, reheat the broth and add fresh wonton wrappers for the best texture.

You can add a variety of vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, carrots, celery, or bok choy. Feel free to adjust based on what you have available or your personal preferences.

Yes, you can make the soup spicier by adding more chili crisp, sriracha, or fresh chili peppers to taste. Adjust the level of heat based on your preference.

The soup takes about 40 minutes to make, with 10 minutes of preparation time and 30 minutes of cooking time.

Yes, you can use different types of broth such as beef broth or vegetable broth if you prefer. However, chicken broth tends to provide the most complementary flavor for this recipe.

If the pork meatballs turn out too tough, you can add an egg or some panko breadcrumbs to the mixture to help with binding and tenderness. Another option is to fry or crumble the pork before adding it to the broth.

Comments

Kevin Lewis

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This is fantastic! definitely add a little chili crisp it takes it up a notch. I used Sweet and spicy zhong from fly by jing

DREGINEK

08/31/2024 02:55:37 AM

I’m scoring this as 5 stars even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the texture of the pork meatballs. Maybe an egg would have helped? Fry them up? Or maybe just frying/crumbling the pork and adding into the soup without making into meatballs? Either way; minor texture issue and overall, the result of this soup is delicious!! I also wouldn’t exactly call this “lazy” unless you are lucky to also have pre-cooked mini pork meatballs that you could thaw and drop in vs making/rolling your own! 😂 Since I had to go to the store to pick up wonton wrappers, I also picked up some shiitake mushrooms that I roughly chopped up and added after the garlic to the broth step of this recipe. Very good soup and would make again…maybe play around with the pork a bit. Thanks Nicole! Fun and tasty!

trish045

12/28/2024 07:30:19 PM

I really liked this recipe. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t require many ingredients. Perfect for a cold day or a weeknight meal. I would make a couple of tweaks next time though. The flavor was great on the meatballs but they were tough. Next time I’ll add a 1/2 cup panko and an egg. Also, my wonton wrappers stuck together during. I’ll add them in small batches at the last minute or two as they don’t take long to cook. Otherwise, great recipe and I would definitely make it again.

Gma Vickie

11/29/2024 07:29:12 PM

Great flavor. To get in extra vegetables we added carrots and a little bit of celery and we used kale because that is what I had on hand. The picture posted is from the second day and I had used the sliced green onion that we garnished the soup with last night. Yummy. A keeper for sure.

Sarah Chhim

04/04/2024 10:10:22 PM

Fantastic flavor! Made exactly as described plus like 6 cloves of garlic and it was amazing. May add an egg next time to help bind the meatballs but flavor was incredible. Will be a staple in our house for sure

SnazzyZest8975

01/28/2025 12:42:07 AM

I've made it many times, first time posting about it though. It's so good, as written. Added some chili crisp oil. I've found that dropping the wontons on top of the meatballs and stirring after adding about 7, every single time, helps to keep them from sticking.

SpiffyLadle3451

02/14/2025 02:02:43 AM

Wonton wrappers get overcooked very quickly. I’m thinking to only add few minutes before serving.

SunnyChip4189

01/11/2025 01:43:18 AM

I liked this recipe very much . I thought it was really good. I used beef both instead of chicken broth. Although, the only thing that frustrated me was that the wonton wrappers got all stuck together, even though I threw them in individually. So if there’s a tip out there to prevent that, I’d like to know. Next time I think I’ll try with fried wonton strips for an added crunch to the soup!

CyanPate7834

06/16/2025 01:26:23 AM

I have cooked Lazy Wonton Soup many times. !st time by the recipe. Other times making fine changes when I couldn't find bok choi in my local in the sticks grocery stores. Where I substituted fresh spinach and celery or cabbage. I did find that for my tastes, I added a small amount of finely ground ginger directly into my pork mixture. Always amazing.

Solestra

07/09/2025 04:34:45 AM

This had wonderful flavor and we all loved it. Only issue was that the wonton wrappers basically disintegrated. May try using some sort of noodle next time like an egg noodle

NancyLong

01/27/2025 12:56:01 AM

We absolutely loved this soup! Made this pretty much exactly. Just added some mushrooms. We will definitely make again.

Falicia Joseph

09/18/2025 12:22:35 PM

Love love love it

Shawn

09/15/2025 09:56:45 PM

Who has the time for from scratch; This is the best traditional style wonton soup recipe I've found that won't leave you chasing strang ingredients

Madart

07/08/2025 01:44:26 PM

Now we're talking. Absolutely loved it and so did my family. Will definitely be making it again!

katy

06/21/2025 05:36:21 PM

My new Favorite Soup!!!

Maksim's mom dad

05/10/2025 07:42:15 PM

Really enjoyed this light soup! Will definitely make again!

Karen Boyd

01/27/2025 11:08:18 PM

I will have this on standby

NancyLong

01/27/2025 12:56:01 AM

We absolutely loved this soup! Made this pretty much exactly. Just added some mushrooms. We will definitely make again.

Steven Thompson

09/04/2024 10:01:57 PM

Simple, fast, and incredibly delicious.

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