Soups
Bitter Melon, Soybean and Pork Bone Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat and is associated with easing greasiness
Why people make this soup
On the hottest day of the year, when the air is heavy and muggy, Bro Niu turns to bitter melon. Don’t fear the bitterness — bitter melon is nicknamed the “gentleman’s vegetable” because it keeps its bitterness to itself; the bitter compounds release slowly, so a one-hour soup tastes clean and lightly fragrant rather than harsh. Traditionally it clears summer heat, and the soybeans, figs and pork bone soften its coolness so the bowl stays kind to the stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling overheated, sluggish and sticky in peak summer.
- The whole family — keep it to about an hour so it does not turn bitter.
- If your constitution is cold or you are menstruating with a weak/cold body, add extra ginger or skip it; a hot-leaning constitution has no problem.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Bitter melon (ku gua): traditionally associated with clearing heat and is linked to easing greasiness and supporting healthy blood pressure.
- Soybeans (huang dou): add protein and richness and help protect the stomach against the melon’s coolness.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): lend natural sweetness and round out the broth.
- Pork shoulder-blade bone (xi shi gu): gives a clean, sweet body and supports the “tonifying” side so the soup cools without depleting.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter melon (ku gua) | 1 | Deseeded, cut into chunks |
| Soybeans (huang dou) | 2 taels (~75 g) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4–6 | |
| Pork shoulder-blade bone (xi shi gu) | 12 taels (~450 g) | Blanched |
| Water | enough to cover generously |
Method
- Blanch the pork bone.
- Deseed the bitter melon and cut it into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the soybeans.
- Put everything in a pot, add water and simmer for one hour. Done.
Bro Niu’s tips
Soak the soybeans for half a day before cooking — they soften faster, and soaking beans for a few hours cuts down on bloating and gas.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Angel): I can’t take heating foods. Is this bitter melon and pork rib soup suitable for me? Bro Niu: Bitter melon is on the cooler side — next time you can add two extra slices of ginger.
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Q (reader): I have a thyroid nodule (no over- or under-active thyroid) — can I still have soybeans, or what can I swap in? Bro Niu: Soybeans contain compounds that can affect the thyroid, but if you have no actual thyroid disorder you are not affected. You can use cashews instead, which traditionally support the kidney.
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Q (reader): I drank a version with whole white peppercorns in Thailand — it was wonderful. What’s the benefit, and how much pepper? Bro Niu: White peppercorns add fragrance, warm the stomach, and offset the cooling nature of bitter melon, so it suits those with a cold, weak stomach too.
Published July 23, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
