Soups
Winter Melon, Coix Seed & Pork Rib Soup
Winter Melon, Coix Seed & Pork Rib Soup is a classic homestyle soup that perfectly combines heat-clearing, summer-relieving effects with spleen-strengthening and dampness-draining properties. Winter melon, cool in nature, is rich in water and potassium, with notable diuretic and anti-edema effects. Coix seeds (Job's tears), cool in nature, enter the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians, excelling at strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, and clearing heat. Pork ribs provide high-quality protein and collagen, tonifying qi and blood, and strengthening sinews and bones. Together, they create a clear, flavorful, and nourishing soup that is especially suitable for the hot summer or rainy season – a seasonal wellness soup for all ages.
Main Ingredients
- Pork ribs 500g
- Winter melon 500g
- Coix seeds 60g
- Fresh ginger 5 slices
- Spring onion 2 sections
- Goji berries 10g
- Cilantro some
- Cooking wine 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- White pepper powder a pinch
Steps
Rinse 50-60g of coix seeds and soak in water for 1-2 hours (or overnight). Coix seeds are naturally hard; adequate soaking reduces cooking time and ensures a soft texture. Cut 500g of pork ribs into small sections. Place in a pot with cold water, add 2-3 slices of ginger and 1 tbsp of cooking wine. Bring to a boil, skim off all foam, boil for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with warm water and drain (cold water will toughen the meat).
Place the blanched ribs, soaked coix seeds (with soaking water), 3-5 slices of ginger, and spring onion sections into a clay pot or soup pot. Add enough water (about 2000-2500ml, covering ingredients by 3-5cm). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer. First simmer for 40-60 minutes until ribs and coix seeds are partially tender. If liquid reduces too much, add hot water (never cold).
Peel and deseed 400-500g of winter melon, cut into thick chunks (about 3-4cm thick). Add to the pot and continue simmering over low heat for 20-30 minutes until the winter melon turns translucent and can be easily pierced with a fork.
5-10 minutes before turning off the heat, add 10g of goji berries (optional).
Add salt to taste (add salt only at the very end – adding it too early toughens the meat), sprinkle with a pinch of white pepper (optional). Transfer to bowls, garnish with cilantro, and serve hot.
TCM Notes
Winter Melon: Contains only about 11-12 kcal per 100g, with over 96% water content. Rich in potassium (approx. 78-165mg/100g), vitamin C (approx. 16-18mg/100g), and dietary fiber. Contains triterpenoid acids that inhibit carbohydrate-to-fat conversion, aiding weight loss. In TCM, winter melon clears heat, relieves summer heat, promotes diuresis, reduces swelling, and generates body fluids. Coix Seeds (Job's Tears) : Contains approximately 12.8g protein, 3.3g fat, 71.1g carbohydrates, and 2g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Coix seeds strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, clear heat, and promote diuresis. With a low GI value of approximately 55, it is suitable as a staple food alternative. Pork Ribs: Contains approximately 15-20g protein and 12-20g fat per 100g. Rich in minerals including calcium and phosphorus, and B vitamins. Purine content: approximately 75-150mg per 100g – moderate-high purine ingredient. Cholesterol content: approximately 80-165mg per 100g. Synergistic Effect: Winter melon clears heat and promotes diuresis; coix seeds strengthen the spleen and drain dampness; ribs tonify qi and nourish blood. Rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and B vitamins, this soup combines clearing and tonifying effects.
Suitable for：Those with heavy dampness, body heaviness, and thick greasy tongue coating Those with difficult urination, edema, and morning eyelid swelling Those with summer heat, dry mouth, irritability, and poor appetite Those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or in weight management General population for summer wellness and daily conditioning
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – both winter melon and coix seeds are cool in nature; excessive consumption may worsen abdominal pain and diarrhea. Add ginger, red dates, or white pepper to neutralize the cooling effect Pregnant women – coix seeds have been shown to stimulate uterine smooth muscle contraction in pharmacological studies, which may induce miscarriage. Avoid especially during early pregnancy Gout / Hyperuricemia patients – ribs contain moderate-high purine (approx. 75-150mg/100g); avoid during acute flare-ups Those with renal insufficiency – ribs are high in protein and purine; coix seeds' diuretic effect may strain the kidneys Women during menstruation – both winter melon and coix seeds are cooling; excessive consumption may worsen menstrual discomfort or dysmenorrhea Those with deficiency-heat or chronic weakness Those allergic to winter melon, coix seeds, or pork
