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Tender Pork Rib Soup with Lotus Root and Winter Melon

 

Tender Pork Rib Soup with Lotus Root & Winter Melon (photo by JenniferW)

This is the kind of soup that quiet says, “Welcome home”. The pork ribs are simmered to tenderness — yes, so tender they practically slide off the bone 😊 Combined with cooling winter melon and crisp lotus root, it is a gentle, nourishing bowl that comforts the body and soul.

Ingredients 

  • 12 pieces of pork ribs
  • 1/2 small winter melon
  • 6 inch lotus root
  • 3 cloves garlic (use the flat side of a knife to press and smash the garlic cloves)
  • 1 tbsp salt (to rub on the pork ribs)
  • 2 litre water
Optional additions:
  • Salt (to taste, added when serving)
  • Red dates
  • Goji berries (wolfberries)

Method

1. Prepare the Ingredients 

Soak the pork ribs in alkaline water (or plain water) briefly, then rinse and drain. Rub them with                
1 tablespoon of salt and set aside for about 10 minutes. Rinse again to clean off excess salt and impurities.


2. Prepare the Vegetables 

Wash the lotus root thoroughly, making sure there is no dirt in the holes or crevices. Peel the skin with      
a vegetable peeler and slice into 1 cm rounds. Peel the winter melon and cut into chunky cubes.

Lotus Root (photo by JenniferW)

Japanese Winter Melon (photo by JenniferW)


3. Start the Soup

Bring 2 litre of water to a boil. Add the pork ribs and smashed garlic. Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat.

Foamy Impurities Floating on the Surface (photo by JenniferW)

Skimming Off the Impurities (photo by JenniferW)

Clean and Clear Broth (photo by JenniferW)


4. Clean the Soup

Skim off the foamy impurities using a flat sifter to keep the broth clear and clean.

5. Add the Vegetables 

Put the sliced lotus root and winter melon. Let it cook for another 10 minutes.

6. Simmer Gently 

Turn the heat down to low and let the soup simmer for about 2 hours, until the pork ribs are tender and slide off the bone.

Slide-Off-the-Bone-Pork Ribs Soup with Lotus Root & 
Winter Melon (photo by JenniferW)

7. To serve 

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately warm with rice. I usually place a small 🧂salt cellar on the table so everyone can season their own bowl to taste.

Optional: Add red dates or goji berries during simmering for a sweeter, nourishing touch.

This is a classic everyday soup found in many Chinese households — a gentle, nourishing bowl that helps balance the body. The key to this soup is using good quality prime pork ribs. That way, you are not just drink the soup, but also enjoying the tender, slide-off-the-bone meat alongside it.

If you are only after the broth, you can simply use pork bones instead for a nourishing soup.
Fall-off-the-bone ribs,
Soft winter melon, 
and the kind of calm only home cooking brings.

I hope this bowl brings you the same comfort it brings to my home — tender, nourishing, and made with love.

Stirred with love, seasoned with stories, from my kitchen to yours.
— A Journey with Joy


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