Soups
Water Chestnut, Fig & Apricot Seed Lean Pork Soup
traditionally used to clear heat, resolve phlegm, and relieve a dry, sore throat
Why people make this soup
After a run of fried chicken, spicy hot pot, or late-night snacks, many people wake up with a parched throat and that sticky, unpleasant feeling that just won’t clear. This light, naturally sweet soup has been a go-to in Cantonese households for exactly that moment. Water chestnuts cool things down, figs moisten and soften the throat, and the classic nan bei xing (sweet and bitter apricot seed) combination does the quiet work of loosening stubborn phlegm. It is particularly well-suited to what Chinese medicine describes as “phlegm-heat” — a thick, hard-to-shift phlegm that comes with a warm or inflamed feeling rather than the watery, clear phlegm of a simple cold.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults and children who have a dry, rough or slightly sore throat, a mild cough with thicker phlegm, or who feel “heated” after rich food.
- Helpful for those who work in environments with exposure to metals (smelting, printing, pigments) — water chestnuts are traditionally considered supportive in such cases.
- Water chestnuts are cold in nature; those with a very cold constitution or frequent loose stools should limit intake.
- Do not use as a substitute for medical care if you have a fever, severe infection, or symptoms that are worsening.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Water chestnut (ma ti): Cooling and sweet, traditionally associated with clearing heat, dissolving phlegm, and supporting healthy urination. Regular consumption is also said to help guard against lead accumulation — historically relevant for workers in heavy industries.
- Dried fig (wu hua guo): Moistens the lungs and throat, supports the large intestine, and adds natural sweetness without making the soup cloying.
- Sweet and bitter apricot seeds (nan bei xing): A classic Cantonese pairing — sweet apricot seeds (nan xing) moisten the lungs, while bitter apricot seeds (bei xing, Prunus armeniaca) help stop cough and ease breathing. Always use the prepared, food-grade version sold at herbal grocers.
- Lean pork: Provides a light, savoury base and protein without adding heat.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water chestnuts (ma ti) | 8 pieces | Peel and rinse |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Halved |
| Sweet + bitter apricot seeds (nan bei xing) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Food-grade, rinsed |
| Lean pork | ~187 g (half jin) | Cut thick, blanched |
| Water | 8 bowls | ~1.6 litres |
Method
- Peel the water chestnuts and rinse well.
- Halve each fig lengthways; rinse the apricot seeds.
- Slice the lean pork into thick pieces, blanch briefly in boiling water to remove impurities, then drain.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 1.6 L) of water.
- Bring to the boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 90 minutes until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 bowls.
- Serve the soup and the solids together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a clean, pleasant sweetness and is particularly good for chronic bronchitis of the heat-phlegm type. A word of caution about water chestnuts: they grow in ponds and waterways where contamination is possible, so never eat them raw. Cooking them thoroughly is essential to avoid parasitic infection (specifically liver fluke).
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Jennifer): Is this soup suitable for someone with diabetes? Bro Niu: Figs have quite a high sugar content, so I would suggest replacing them with dried jujube dates (mi zao) — they are less likely to raise blood sugar.
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Q (Hui Hui): My eyelids have been very heavy and dry lately, with discharge. Is there a food remedy? Bro Niu: You can try prunella (xia ku cao) 15 g, chrysanthemum (ju hua) 9 g, and honeysuckle flower (jin yin hua) 9 g with a little rock sugar. First simmer the prunella and rock sugar in 5 bowls of water for 30 minutes, then add the chrysanthemum and honeysuckle, cook for another 5 minutes, and drink. Take 3 batches on consecutive days.
Published July 8, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
