Soups
Burdock, Green Olive and Radish Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat, ease throat inflammation, and soothe a hoarse or swollen throat
Why people make this soup
We have all had that experience of coming home after a meal out — fried chicken, heavy sauces, MSG-laden broths — and noticing that the throat feels thick and slightly sore. Bro Niu’s first instinct in that situation is to simmer this soup. The combination of fresh burdock root, green olives, and radish targets exactly that kind of throat discomfort that comes from internal heat and over-indulgence. Green olives have a characteristic astringent, slightly sour taste (and a lingering sweetness after a moment) that cools and soothes; burdock clears heat and moves it outward; radish cuts through heaviness and disperses accumulation in the digestive tract. Together, they make a broth that is genuinely relieving.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for anyone with a sore, swollen, or hoarse throat, particularly after eating fried or rich food or being exposed to dry, hot air
- Also traditionally recommended for people with diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer — the ingredients are gentle and food-based
- Pregnant women can drink this soup; those with low blood pressure can add a couple of honey dates to reduce the cooling effect
- Children can also enjoy it
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh burdock (niu bang, Arctium lappa): A favourite in Japanese and Cantonese kitchens alike. In food-therapy it is associated with clearing lung and stomach heat, benefiting the throat, and gently promoting outward movement of wind-heat. Rich in inulin fibre, which supports digestive and immune function.
- Green olive (qing lan): The real, unprocessed Chinese green olive has a tart, astringent taste with a lingering sweetness. Traditionally considered cooling and throat-soothing. Note: avoid olives that are unnaturally brilliant green — these may have been treated with chemicals.
- Green radish (qing luo bo): Clears heat and dissolves food stagnation; particularly good for the throat and lungs.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Adds sweetness and is nourishing and neutral; balances the more cooling ingredients.
- Honey dates / dried figs (mi zao / wu hua guo): Natural sweeteners that also moisten the lungs and throat.
Ingredients (4 to 5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh burdock root | about 150 g | Scrub the skin, cut into sections |
| Green olives | 10 pieces | Rinse |
| Green radish | 1 | Peel, cut into slices |
| Carrot | 1 | Peel, cut into slices |
| Honey dates or dried figs | 2 to 3 pieces | — |
| Lean pork | about 225 g | Blanch |
| Water | 8 bowls | About 2 litres |
Method
- Scrub the burdock root skin clean (no need to peel entirely), then cut into sections.
- Rinse the green olives.
- Peel the green radish and carrot, cut into thick slices.
- Blanch the lean pork in boiling water, drain, and rinse.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water. Bring to a full boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer.
- Cook for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 to 5 bowls. Serve the broth and eat the solid ingredients alongside.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, or cancer. If you cannot find fresh green olives, substitute a few more dried figs or honey dates and increase the burdock slightly — burdock alone is very effective for the throat. If fresh burdock is unavailable, dried burdock (about 37 g) can be used instead. To ease a dry, ticklish throat on the spot, try steeping half a monk fruit (luo han guo) in boiling water for 10 minutes and sipping slowly.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can fresh burdock be replaced with dried burdock? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use about 37 g of dried burdock as a substitute.
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Q (Yoko): My four-year-old child — is burdock soup safe? What about for asthma or colds? Bro Niu: Burdock soups are fine for the whole family. Although burdock is slightly cooling in nature, pairing it with a couple of ginger slices or some dried tangerine peel removes any concern. Children with asthma or a cold can drink it too.
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Q (reader — b): Can pregnant women drink fresh burdock soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable for pregnant women.
Published June 2, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
