Soups
Chayote, Lily Bulb, Water Chestnut and Pork Rib Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat and moisten the lungs
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu loves cooking with chayote, especially in early autumn when the weather is still muggy and damp. Chayote soup is traditionally used to dispel wind, ease heat, promote urination and drain dampness, while also being kind to the spleen and stomach. Chayote happens to be one of the most nutritionally well-rounded gourds, rich in selenium, which is associated with supporting immune function and healthy blood pressure and lipids. This “Chayote, Lily Bulb and Water Chestnut Pork Rib Soup” is traditionally enjoyed to clear heat, ease the heart’s fire and moisten lung dryness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling overheated and dry in muggy late-summer weather, and those who want a light soup that supports healthy blood pressure and lipids.
- A gentle, everyday family soup, good for young and old.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chayote (he zhang gua): Traditionally used to clear heat, drain dampness and support the spleen and stomach.
- Lily bulb (bai he): Long associated with moistening the lungs and calming the heart.
- Water chestnuts (ma ti): Traditionally used to clear heat and refresh.
- Figs (wu hua guo): Add natural sweetness and are traditionally considered nourishing and supportive of the intestines.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chayote | 1 | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Lily bulb | ~38 g | rinsed |
| Water chestnuts | 6 | peeled and washed |
| Figs | 4 | rinsed |
| Pork ribs | ~300 g | blanched |
Method
- Peel the chayote and cut into chunks; peel and wash the water chestnuts; rinse the lily bulb and figs.
- Blanch the pork ribs.
- Place everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Cook for about 1.5 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear, sweet and tasty, good for young and old. It is especially friendly for people watching their blood pressure and blood lipids, and is traditionally enjoyed to help the body clear away heavy, unwanted substances.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ling): Bro Niu, for soup, what’s the difference between figs, honey dates and date-palm dates? Lately more people use date-palm dates instead of honey dates or figs — is that beneficial? Bro Niu: Figs help move the bowels and are very nutritious; honey dates temper the cooling or heating nature of ingredients, but because they are sugar-processed, people watching their blood sugar should use them sparingly; date-palm dates, by recent research, don’t raise blood sugar easily and are high in minerals, so they can be used in place of honey dates.
Published August 17, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
