Soups
Soybean Sprout, Tomato & Tofu Soup
traditionally associated with clearing stomach heat and supporting oral comfort
Why people make this soup
After a run of festive banquets and late nights, many people notice their body sending small signals of overload: a canker sore on the tongue, tender or puffy gums, a heavy feeling in the belly. In traditional Chinese food therapy this cluster of symptoms is often described as excess stomach heat. Bro Niu’s go-to remedy is this unpretentious, naturally sweet soup — soybean sprouts, ripe tomato, and tofu simmered together with lean pork until everything is soft and fragrant. It is the kind of soup that feels as gentle as it tastes.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people recovering from holiday overeating, those troubled by mouth sores (canker sores), swollen gum tissue, or a sluggish, bloated feeling after rich meals.
- Those with a cold constitution or whose stomach feels easily chilled can add two to three slices of fresh ginger to warm the pot.
- Pregnant women may drink this soup; no special restrictions apply.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Soybean sprouts (da dou ya cai): In traditional practice, soybean sprouts are considered cooling and are associated with helping the body process accumulated fats and cholesterol.
- Tomato (fan qie): Mildly sour and cooling; traditionally used to help clear heat and support digestion.
- Firm tofu (dou fu): Neutral to slightly cooling; paired here to nourish and calm without adding richness.
- Lean pork (shou rou): Provides a gentle savouriness and a source of protein, making the soup more sustaining without being heavy.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean sprouts | 600 g | Rinse well; tails can be left on |
| Tomato | 2 medium | Washed, cut into wedges |
| Firm tofu | 1 block (~300 g) | Any firm variety works |
| Lean pork | 225 g | Thick slices, blanched in boiling water first |
| Water | 8 bowls (~2 litres) | |
| Fresh ginger (optional) | 2–3 slices | For cold-constitution individuals |
Method
- Rinse the soybean sprouts thoroughly and drain.
- Wash the tomatoes and cut into wedges; cut the tofu into rough chunks.
- Blanch the lean pork slices in boiling water for two minutes, then drain and rinse.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium simmer.
- Cook for about 45 minutes, until the broth is clear and sweet and the sprouts are tender.
- Serve hot; eat both the soup and the solid ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is naturally light and sweet — children enjoy it too. If you are concerned about fats or cholesterol, this soup is a good choice after indulgent meals as it is low in fat and free of heavy ingredients. For those with a cold or weak constitution, the optional ginger slices make all the difference. Using fish instead of lean pork is equally good and adds extra nutrition.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (elly): Can small children also drink this soup if they have mouth sores and are restless at night? Bro Niu: Yes, but if the child is also restless at night with signs of heart heat, you can follow up after a couple of days with a light lotus seed and dwarf lilyturf (mai dong) tea to help settle them.
-
Q (Gin): Can a pregnant woman drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is fine during pregnancy — no problem at all.
-
Q (anonymous): My husband often has canker sores and poor sleep. What soup is best? Bro Niu: Try scrophularia root (xuan shen) and rehmannia root (sheng di) five qian each, with asparagus tuber (tian dong) and dwarf lilyturf (mai dong) three qian each, simmered in five bowls of water down to two. Take daily for three to five days. The main cause is usually insufficient sleep leading to yin deficiency and flaring heat.
Published March 5, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
