Soups
White & Red Radish, Apple & Laver Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally supports the body's resilience with antioxidant-rich vegetables
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu notes that cancer seems more common these days, possibly tied to pollution in water and food, radiation and other environmental factors — and don’t underestimate long-term stress, which many feel can wear the body down. While no soup can prevent illness, he likes the idea that everyday colourful vegetables — white radish, carrot, red apple — are rich in nourishing antioxidants and simply good for keeping the body strong. Having bought too many Fuji apples to eat, he turned them into this wholesome, clear soup with radish and a little antioxidant-rich laver.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a clean, wholesome, antioxidant-rich everyday family soup
- Suitable for general daily nourishment
- A gentle soup with no special cautions; it is food, not a treatment for any disease
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- White radish & carrot (bai luo bo, hong luo bo): everyday roots rich in nutrients, traditionally valued as wholesome, easy-to-digest foods.
- Apple (ping guo): the skin is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that help mop up free radicals; wholesome and naturally sweet.
- Laver / purple seaweed (zi cai): rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): warms the soup and balances the cooler radish.
Ingredients (5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White radish (bai luo bo) | 1 | Peeled, cut |
| Carrot (hong luo bo) | 1 | Peeled, cut |
| Apples (ping guo) | 2 | Cored; wash skin in warm water |
| Ginger (sheng jiang) | 3 slices | |
| Laver (zi cai) | 1 small handful | Rinsed |
| Lean pork (shou rou) | ~300 g | Thick slices, blanched |
| Water | 8 bowls | Reduce to 5 bowls |
Method
- Peel and cut the radishes; wash the apple skins in warm water, then cut and core; rinse the laver; slice the pork thickly and blanch.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer 1 hour until reduced to 5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
The apple skin is even more beneficial than the flesh — its polyphenols and flavonoids help clear free radicals and reduce cell damage. If you worry about pesticide residue, just soak the apples briefly in warm water before washing to rinse away unwanted residues.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Can chicken replace the pork? Bro Niu: These days much chicken is hormone-raised, so if you use chicken it’s best to choose hormone-free types.
Published December 25, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
