Hairy Gourd, Soybean, Golden Dried Oyster and Pork Rib Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo picked up some plump golden dried oysters at a local food expo and built this soup around them. Dried oysters are rich in nutrients — including vitamin B12, which many foods lack — and after the tenth lunar month they carry more glycogen and taurine, which is why they are traditionally valued for supporting the liver and gallbladder. The soup itself is savoury and fresh, neither heating nor cooling, so most of the family can enjoy it.

Method

1. Scrape the skin off the hairy gourd and cut into chunks. Soak and rinse the soybeans and dried oysters separately.
2. Blanch the pork ribs.
3. Put everything in a pot with 2.7 L of water and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to about 1.2–1.5 L. Eat both the soup and the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is calcium-rich. It is not suitable for people with gout. If you cannot find hairy gourd, you can swap in winter melon or chayote.