Soups
Frog, Dried Scallop and Winter Melon Soup with Lean Pork
Traditionally clears summer heat and drains damp
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu reaches for this one when the weather turns hot and muggy and that sticky, heavy “damp” feeling sets in. Many people steer clear of frog for fear of parasites, but he reassures readers that frog is rich in protein, iron, calcium and minerals while low in fat — and perfectly safe as long as it’s cooked through. Paired with winter melon, dried scallop, rice bean and job’s tears, it makes a clear, sweet bowl traditionally enjoyed to clear summer heat and drain damp.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen by people with poor summer appetite, low energy, difficulty passing water, or puffiness, and as a whole-family soup in muggy weather. Bro Niu notes it’s helpful for children’s and teens’ bone growth and for older adults.
- Pregnant women should not drink this soup. For diabetics it’s fine; those who’d rather skip frog can use silkie chicken instead, per Bro Niu.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Frog (tian ji): Traditionally associated with replenishing energy and supporting those who feel weak or puffy; high in protein, low in fat.
- Dried scallop (yao zhu): Traditionally associated with nourishing yin and supporting the kidneys; adds savory depth.
- Winter melon (dong gua): Traditionally associated with clearing heat, supporting urination and easing summer heat.
- Rice bean & job’s tears (chi xiao dou, yi mi): Traditionally associated with draining damp and supporting the spleen.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frog | 3–4 | Cleaned, blanched; or silkie chicken |
| Dried scallops | 4 | Soaked soft |
| Winter melon | ~600 g | With skin, seeds removed, chunked |
| Rice bean | ~38 g | Rinsed |
| Job’s tears | ~38 g | Rinsed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Thick-sliced, blanched |
Method
- Clean the frog and blanch it in boiling water.
- Soak the dried scallops until soft.
- Rinse the rice bean and job’s tears.
- Remove the winter melon seeds, wash with the skin on, and cut into chunks.
- Thick-slice the lean pork and blanch.
- Bring everything to a boil in 8 bowls of water and simmer 1 hour, down to 4–5 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and tasty, suitable for young and old. Frog soup is traditionally said to help children’s and teens’ bone growth and to support older adults against bone thinning. But pregnant women should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (siuming): Is this soup suitable for an 18-month-old? What else can I cook to drain damp at that age? Bro Niu: Yes, an 18-month-old can drink this soup; it does help drain damp.
- Q (Karie): Can diabetics eat frog? And if not frog, can I use black-bone chicken instead? Bro Niu: You can use silkie chicken in place of frog. Diabetics can use frog in soup.
Published May 23, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
