Soups
Night Jasmine Flower, Cilantro and Pork Slice Soup
Traditionally used to relieve early wind-cold symptoms, stimulate appetite and clear summer dampness
Why people make this soup
Summer brings a particular kind of uncomfortable — the combination of blazing sun, heavy humidity and sudden air-conditioning chill can leave people feeling foggy, headachy and off their appetite. Night jasmine flowers (ye xiang hua) are a prized summer ingredient in Cantonese food therapy, and cooks have long used them in quick-boiled soups to address exactly this seasonal discomfort. The flowers are naturally rich in vitamins A and C and are thought to help the body regulate its response to summer heat and external pathogens. Cilantro (yuan sui / coriander) adds a second layer of benefit: it aids digestion, supports light perspiration that can help the body “release” early-stage cold or heat, and has even been studied for its potential to help reduce heavy metal accumulation in the body — something Bro Niu often highlights when recommending it. Together with thin-sliced pork, this is a soup you can have ready in twenty-five minutes and that the whole family can enjoy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for people who have spent time outdoors in summer heat and feel unwell, headachy or nauseous as a result.
- Helpful for early-stage colds (wind-cold or wind-heat), mild summer heat exhaustion, poor appetite, and mild eye inflammation.
- Also associated traditionally with helping to clear toxins from the liver, lungs and kidneys — cilantro in particular is thought supportive here.
- Generally very gentle; suitable for most people including children.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Night jasmine flowers (ye xiang hua, Telosma cordata): Cooling in nature; rich in vitamins A and C. Traditionally used to soothe headaches, brighten the eyes, clear summer dampness and stimulate appetite. The flowers are at their seasonal best in summer.
- Cilantro / coriander (yuan sui): Warm and fragrant; disperses cold, aids digestion and promotes gentle perspiration. Research has associated cilantro with supporting the body’s natural elimination of heavy metals, particularly through the kidneys.
- Lean pork: Provides protein and a neutral, mild base that balances the more aromatic herbs and keeps the soup satisfying.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night jasmine flowers | ~112 g (3 liang) | Rinse gently |
| Fresh cilantro | 4 stalks | Remove roots, cut into sections |
| Lean pork | ~225 g (6 liang) | Slice thinly |
Method
- Rinse the night jasmine flowers gently and set aside.
- Remove the roots from the cilantro, wash thoroughly, and cut into sections.
- Slice the lean pork into thin pieces.
- Bring 5 bowls of water to a boil. Add the pork slices and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the cilantro and night jasmine flowers. Continue to boil for another 10 minutes.
- Serve hot; eat the cooked ingredients along with the soup.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a fresh, aromatic fragrance that many people find surprisingly appealing. Beyond its summer wind-cold purpose, it can also help with early-stage colds, stomach bloating, poor appetite and mild eye inflammation. The cilantro adds a gentle kidney-cleansing dimension that makes it a useful everyday soup — not just for when you’re feeling unwell. Night jasmine flowers can also be stir-fried with eggs or added to other quick soups.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can the night jasmine flowers be cooked in ways other than soup? Bro Niu: Yes — the flowers work well stir-fried with eggs, in quick pork and goji berry soup, or in other light soups. Use whatever suits you.
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Q (Ting Ting): Can this soup be made without meat? Also, what do you suggest for recurring skin sensitivity and dyshidrotic eczema on the hands? Bro Niu: For the skin issue, you can use cilantro boiled for 10 minutes as an external wash, applied three times a day, to help soothe the itch. You can also make a soup with fresh tu fu ling (smilax), chi xiao dou, green mung beans and yi mi (barley), simmered for 2 hours — this clears heat and toxins. The whole family can drink it; aim for 3 consecutive servings.
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Q (reader / mo): I tend toward spleen deficiency with qi deficiency. What soups can help with that alongside this? Bro Niu: For those with spleen deficiency, bloating and yin deficiency, try a soup with fo shou gan (finger citron), dried tangerine peel, sha ren, and red dates — simmered for 15 minutes. Separately, a weekly soup of wu zhi mao tao, Chinese yam, snow fungus, goji and dried figs with lean pork will gently build qi over time. Avoid cold and raw foods.
Published May 20, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
