Protein

A protein topping is usually added in the form of meat – pork, chicken or beef – fish or seafood, tofu, and very often a marinated soft-boiled egg. Different regions favour different ways of cooking and serving these, from sticky-sweet marinated pork to curried beef and fiery chicken, and fusion flavours and techniques can also work brilliantly, such as tempura prawns atop a spicy-sour broth, or more Western pairings such as crab and lemon.

But are sometimes poached directly in the broth.