Soups
Green Olive, Green Radish, Fig, and Sweet Almond Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally associated with clearing lung heat, soothing the throat, and supporting detoxification
Why people make this soup
This well-established Cantonese soup is a sensible choice for anyone dealing with throat or lung irritation: all four main ingredients have reputations for clearing heat, relieving throat and lung discomfort, and supporting the body’s ability to process and eliminate irritants. It is a wonderful everyday soup for anyone exposed to air pollution, kitchen fumes, or simply dry, dusty weather. Green olives come into peak season in autumn, and the soup comes together beautifully.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family — children, adults, and elderly alike
- Pregnant women can also enjoy this soup, which is traditionally considered beneficial for foetal development
- Infants from about 15 months onwards can have half a bowl
- Generally a gentle, broadly accessible soup with no significant contraindications
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green Chinese olive (qing lan, Canarium album): Sweet, astringent, and neutral; traditionally used to clear lung heat, soothe the throat, and support the body’s detoxification processes. Higher in certain minerals and vitamin C than apple, and beneficial for cooks and chefs regularly exposed to gas fumes.
- Green radish (qing luo bo): Pungent, sweet, and cooling; traditionally used to clear heat, generate fluids, cool the blood, stop coughing, and eliminate toxins. Its lignin content is associated with supporting immune macrophage activity.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Sweet and neutral; traditionally used to open the appetite, aid digestion, and — importantly — reduce inflammation and swelling in the throat due to their citric acid content.
- Sweet almonds / southern almonds (nan xing, Prunus armeniaca): Rich in fibre; traditionally used to clear lung fire, support detoxification, and moisten the intestines.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green Chinese olives (qing lan) | 15 pieces | Rinse well; crack with the flat of a knife |
| Green radish (qing luo bo) | 1 large (~500 g) | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Cut in half |
| Sweet almonds (nan xing) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Lean pork | ~225 g (6 taels) | Slice thick; blanch first |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 L) | Reduce to 4–5 bowls |
Method
- Rinse the green olives well and crack them lightly with the flat of a knife so the flavour releases into the soup.
- Peel the green radish and cut into large chunks.
- Cut the dried figs in half.
- Rinse the sweet almonds.
- Cut the lean pork into thick slices and blanch in boiling water for a minute; drain.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to 4–5 bowls.
- Serve warm; eat the softened soup solids along with the broth.
Bro Niu’s tips
Green Chinese olives are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online. This soup is naturally sweet and suitable for the entire family. For extra benefit, add 2 pieces of snow fungus (xue er) — it will make the soup even more nourishing for the lungs. If you cannot find green olives, substitute a cored pear — it also has lung-clearing properties. Adding a few slices of ginger to the pot makes the soup even more effective for cold-related throat and chest symptoms.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Jessica): If there are no green olives, what can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can substitute fresh burdock root (niu bang), ideally the thinner variety — it has a similar throat-soothing and heat-clearing effect.
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Q (Helen): My daughter has a sore throat and says her voice sounds a bit hoarse. I also have some throat discomfort. Is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is a good choice. For a sore throat, add half a monk fruit (luo han guo) to the pot when cooking — it will help even more.
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Q (reader): My son is 15 months old — can he have this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, a 15-month-old can have half a bowl.
Published November 15, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
