Soups
Fuzzy Gourd, Adzuki Bean, Hyacinth Bean and Pork Shin Soup
Traditionally used to clear summer heat and drain dampness
Why people make this soup
After Minor Heat (Xiaoshu) the weather turns sweltering, so Bro Niu likes to cook with seasonal melons. Winter melon soup is a favorite, but fuzzy gourd is great too — and cheap. Fuzzy gourd is actually the tender young form of winter melon, with a fuzzy skin and traditionally seen as even more supportive of healthy vital energy. It is associated with generating fluids, quenching thirst and draining dampness. This soup is a lovely choice for the hottest days.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a light, cooling summer soup to strengthen the spleen and clear heat; also said to suit those with high cholesterol or high blood sugar.
- Fragrant and tasty, suitable for young and old. Those with gout should be mindful of high-purine ingredients (see Q&A).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fuzzy gourd (jie gua): Traditionally used to generate fluids, clear summer heat, strengthen the stomach and promote urination.
- Adzuki beans (chi xiao dou): Traditionally used to drain dampness and promote urination.
- Hyacinth beans (bian dou): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness.
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Traditionally used to regulate qi and balance the soup.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fuzzy gourd | 2 | Scrape off skin, cut in chunks |
| Adzuki beans | ~1 liang | Soaked and rinsed |
| Hyacinth beans | ~1 liang | Soaked and rinsed |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | |
| Pork shin | 1 piece | Cut and blanched |
Method
- Scrape the skin from the fuzzy gourd and cut into chunks; soak and rinse the adzuki beans, hyacinth beans and tangerine peel; cut and blanch the pork shin.
- Combine all ingredients with 8 bowls of water.
- Cook for about 1.5 hours, reducing to 4–5 bowls. Eat the soup and ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is light, fragrant and tasty, suitable for young and old, and also said to suit those with high cholesterol and high blood sugar.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Bouyin): Can I make this vegetarian, but without cashews because I’m allergic? Bro Niu: Yes, you can make it vegetarian and skip the cashews — just add a little more hyacinth bean.
- Q (Juan): Can people with gout take this? What amount? Bro Niu: Beans are high in purines, so those with gout should be careful — adzuki bean is the one bean that is fine to use. Use chicken breast or lean pork to be safe.
Published July 14, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
