Soups
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) & Lean Pork Soup
Luo Han Guo & Lean Pork Soup is a traditional Cantonese nourishing soup, made with Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) and lean pork as the main ingredients, supplemented with dried tangerine peel, and slowly simmered. Luo Han Guo, known as the “immortal fruit”, is sweet in taste and cool in nature, entering the Lung and Spleen meridians. It clears the lungs, relieves sore throat, resolves phlegm, stops cough, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. Dried tangerine peel regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and dries dampness to resolve phlegm. Lean pork nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies deficiency. The natural sweetness of Luo Han Guo and the fragrant aroma of tangerine peel blend together, creating a sweet, refreshing, and non-greasy soup. It is suitable for daily conditioning of lung-heat cough, sore throat, and constipation due to intestinal dryness.
Main Ingredients
- Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) 1/4-1 piece
- Lean pork 150-300g
- Dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) 5-10g
- Fresh ginger 3 slices
- Salt to taste
Steps
Rinse 1/4-1 piece of Luo Han Guo, crush or break into small pieces; soak 5-10g of dried tangerine peel in warm water until soft, rinse and set aside; wash and cut 150-300g of lean pork into chunks.
Place the prepared Luo Han Guo and tangerine peel in a clay pot, add enough water (approx. 1500-2000ml).
Place the prepared Luo Han Guo and tangerine peel in a clay pot, add enough water (approx. 1500-2000ml).
Bring to a boil over high heat, then add the blanched pork.
Once boiling again, reduce to low heat and simmer for 1-2 hours. For richer flavor, extend to 2-3 hours.
Add salt to taste just before turning off the heat. Transfer to bowls and serve warm.
TCM Notes
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) : Sweet in taste, cool in nature; enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Known for clearing heat and cooling blood, promoting fluid production and relieving cough, moistening the intestines and detoxifying, and moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm. Contains mogrosides, vitamin C, and natural sweetener S-S glycoside. Mogrosides have blood sugar-lowering effects; rich in vitamin C, which has anti-aging, anti-cancer, and skin-beautifying effects; also has blood lipid-lowering and weight loss effects. Lean Pork: Provides high-quality protein and iron, helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia, nourishes and tonifies deficiency. When combined with Luo Han Guo, it enhances the moistening effect. Dried Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) : Regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and dries dampness to resolve phlegm; when paired with Luo Han Guo, it enhances the phlegm-resolving and cough-relieving effects. Overall: This soup contains vitamin B, C, glycosides, fructose, glucose, protein, iron, and other nutrients. The natural sweetness of Luo Han Guo makes the soup sweet and mellow without needing additional sugar.
Suitable for：Those with lung-heat cough, phlegm-fire cough, or dry cough with little phlegm Those with sore throat, hoarseness, dry throat, or itchy throat Those with constipation due to intestinal dryness or dry hard stools Those who frequently smoke, stay up late, or overuse their voice Diabetes patients (mogrosides have blood sugar-lowering effects) Those with hyperlipidemia or obesity General population for autumn wellness and health maintenance
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – avoid. Luo Han Guo is cool in nature and may damage Spleen yang. Those with wind-cold cough – use with caution or avoid. The cool nature may suppress yang qi and hinder the dispersal of wind-cold pathogens. Those with external wind-cold colds – not suitable Those allergic to Luo Han Guo – avoid; those with allergies should use with caution Those with damp-heat constitution – use with caution Those with chronic diarrhea or loose stools – use with caution (Luo Han Guo may worsen diarrhea) Those with frequent nighttime urination – use with caution Pregnant women – use with caution due to its cool nature; consult a doctor before consuming Those with cold deficiency constitution or cold hands/feet – not suitable for long-term consumption General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption; may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea
