Pumpkin, Tomato, Carrot and Frog Leg Soup

Why people make this soup

Many people worry about spots and dark circles, and while there are plenty of whitening creams on the market, they don’t always deliver. Bro Niu’s gentler, thriftier approach is to improve your eating — favour fresh, wholesome vegetables, fruit and meat, and go easy on cheap, heavily processed foods. Pumpkin, tomato and carrot are among the richest in natural pectin, which is traditionally thought to bind unwanted substances in the body and help carry them out. These three are inexpensive and lovely in cooking, and frog legs add a savoury, energetic note traditionally used here as a “guiding” ingredient to carry the benefits toward the face. This soup is traditionally enjoyed to support a clear complexion and bright eyes.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• People who want a tasty, everyday soup to support a clear complexion and bright eyes.
• A gentle family soup, good for young and old; for best effect, eat the ingredients along with the soup.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Pumpkin, tomato, carrot (nan gua, fan qie, hong luo bo): Among the most pectin-rich everyday produce; traditionally thought to help the body carry away unwanted substances.
• Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Traditionally used to move qi and add fragrance.
• Frog legs (tian ji tui): Savoury and energising, traditionally used here as a “guiding” ingredient toward the face.

Ingredients (4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Pumpkin	~300 g	peeled, seeded, cut into chunks
Tomatoes	2	peeled, cut into chunks
Carrot	1	peeled, cut into chunks
Dried tangerine peel	1 piece	soaked and rinsed
Frozen frog legs	~225 g	blanched

Method

1. Peel and seed the pumpkin and cut into chunks; peel the tomatoes and carrot and cut into chunks.
2. Soak and rinse the dried tangerine peel; blanch the frozen frog legs.
3. Place everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
4. Cook for 2 hours until reduced to 4 bowls. Serve the soup together with the ingredients.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup is sweet and tasty, good for young and old. Beyond supporting the complexion, it is also kind to the eyes. For best effect, eat the ingredients along with the soup.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Mandy): Bro Niu, frozen frog legs can be hard to find — where should I look? Bro Niu: Frozen frog legs are available at larger frozen-meat stores and Asian grocers. If you cannot find them, you can use 3–4 fresh frogs for the soup instead.

• Q (Mandy): If I can’t find frozen frog legs, can I buy fresh whole ones and cook them? How many should I use? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use 3–4 fresh frogs for the soup.

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Published August 24, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.