Soups
Yacon, Water Chestnut & Pork Rib Soup
Traditionally used to support gut cleansing and reduce internal heat after rich eating
Why people make this soup
After Chinese New Year, the dining table is a parade of rich foods — fish maw, sea cucumber, braised pork, roasted meats. Delicious as they are, that kind of feasting can leave your gut feeling slow and heavy. Bro Niu turns to this simple trio — yacon, water chestnut, and pork ribs — as a gentle way to get things moving again. The soup is naturally sweet, light, and easy on the stomach, making it a go-to for the whole household in those post-holiday days.
Yacon is a South American tuber with a crisp, juicy texture that behaves a bit like a super-hydrating apple in the soup. Traditional food-therapy credits it with flushing the intestines and clearing heat toxins. Water chestnut, a Chinese cooking staple, has long been associated with clearing body heat and supporting the body’s ability to flush out impurities. Research on water chestnuts suggests they contain compounds with antimicrobial properties. Together with a handful of apricot kernels (traditionally thought to support lung and bowel function), the soup is both nourishing and cleansing.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits most people, especially those feeling sluggish or heavy after rich holiday eating; also considered supportive for people with high blood pressure
- People with a cold or weak digestive constitution (chronic loose stools, always feeling cold) should drink this soup less frequently
- Safe for children and elderly; the whole family can enjoy it
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Yacon (xue lian guo): In traditional food therapy, yacon is believed to support the intestines in clearing heat and waste, and to inhibit the absorption of harmful substances; it is also thought to help with bad breath caused by internal heat
- Water chestnut (ma ti): Traditionally associated with clearing body heat and supporting the body’s elimination of toxins; folk medicine and some research highlights antimicrobial properties against certain bacteria
- Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing): A classic pairing in Cantonese soups; traditionally thought to nourish the lungs and moisten the bowels, supporting the respiratory and digestive systems together
- Pork spare ribs (pai gu): Add body and savory depth to the broth while contributing collagen and minerals
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yacon | 1 medium tuber | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Water chestnuts | 6–8 corms | Remove top and tail, keep middle skin, rinse well |
| Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Rinse before use |
| Pork spare ribs | ~300 g (half jin) | Blanched first to remove impurities |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 L) |
Method
- Blanch the pork ribs: place in cold water, bring to a boil, drain, and rinse. Set aside.
- Peel the yacon and cut into large chunks.
- Trim the top and tail off the water chestnuts; leave the middle band of skin on and rinse well. (The skin contains beneficial compounds.)
- Rinse the apricot kernels.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, until the liquid reduces to about 4 bowls.
- Serve the soup with some of the cooked ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is naturally sweet and mild — children love it. It is also considered particularly helpful for people with high blood pressure. That said, those with a cold or sensitive stomach constitution should not drink it every day — perhaps 2–3 times a week after a rich-food period is plenty.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ching): Can someone undergoing radiotherapy drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this yacon soup is suitable for people undergoing radiotherapy.
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Q (May): My elderly father-in-law is thin, has coronary heart disease, and is on aspirin. His memory has been slipping and a scan found tumors on his lung and kidney. Is there a soup that could help? Bro Niu: He can continue taking his medication as prescribed and drink this soup. For general wellness, a soft-boiled egg each morning provides good protein and beneficial cholesterol for the brain. Blueberry powder has been studied for its potential role in supporting brain health in older adults. For a soup, try shiitake mushroom, goji berry, and asparagus simmered with lean pork slices — these ingredients are traditionally associated with supporting the body’s resilience. Please ensure he continues to work with his doctors.
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Q (Anonymous): My family caught Omicron. Even after recovering, I have a dry cough two weeks on. Is there a soup to help clear the body after a viral illness? Bro Niu: You can try brewing jiaogulan tea (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) — it has good anti-inflammatory properties and is traditionally thought to strengthen the body’s foundation. It is on the cooling side, so add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) to balance it. A small pinch per day, steeped throughout the day, is enough. Jiaogulan also has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Published January 21, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
