Soups
Luo Han Guo & Loquat Leaf Lean Pork Soup
Luo Han Guo & Loquat Leaf Lean Pork Soup is a classic Cantonese nourishing soup, made with Luo Han Guo (monk fruit), loquat leaves, and lean pork, slowly simmered. Luo Han Guo, known as the "immortal fruit", is sweet in taste and cool in nature, clearing the lungs, relieving sore throat, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough. Loquat leaves descend qi, clear the lungs, and stop cough. This soup has also been recommended by Professor Yang Zhimin‘s team at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a dietary therapy for wind-heat cough. The soup is clear, sweet, and mellow – a perfect nourishing remedy for dry seasons.
Main Ingredients
- Lean pork 200-250g
- Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) 1/4-1/2 piece
- Loquat leaves 15-20g
- Fresh ginger 2-3 slices
- Salt to taste
Steps
Rinse Luo Han Guo and crush into small pieces; rinse loquat leaves (if using dried leaves, soak in water for 30 minutes); prepared (honey-fried) loquat leaves are recommended to reduce bitterness; slice ginger and set aside.
Cut 200-250g of lean pork into chunks, place in a pot with cold water and 1 slice of ginger, bring to a boil, skim off foam, rinse with warm water and drain.
Place the prepared pork, Luo Han Guo, loquat leaves, and remaining ginger in a clay pot, add enough water (approx. 1500-2000ml).
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 1-3 hours. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor.
Add salt to taste just before serving. Drink the soup and eat the meat. Consume 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 moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, resolving phlegm, stopping cough, and moistening the intestines. Contains mogrosides and vitamin C. Mogrosides do not participate in human metabolism and have little effect on blood glucose when consumed in small amounts. Loquat Leaves: Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. Known for clearing the lungs, stopping cough, and descending qi to relieve nausea. Prepared (honey-fried) loquat leaves have significantly reduced bitterness, making the soup sweeter and more palatable. Lean Pork: Provides high-quality protein and iron, nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies deficiency. Fresh Ginger: Warms the middle, disperses cold, and harmonizes the stomach, balancing the cooling nature of Luo Han Guo and loquat leaves. Overall: Rich in vitamin B, C, glycosides, protein, iron, and other nutrients. The natural sweetness of Luo Han Guo means no additional sugar is needed.
Suitable for：Those with wind-heat cough (symptoms include yellow, thick phlegm, possibly with dry mouth, bitter taste, and yellow thick nasal discharge) Those with lung-heat cough or chronic cough due to lung deficiency Those with sore throat, dry throat, and dry mouth Those with constipation and dry hard stools Those who frequently smoke, overuse their voice, or stay up late General population for autumn-winter wellness and health maintenance
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – Luo Han Guo and loquat leaves are both cool in nature and may damage Spleen yang Those with wind-cold colds – symptoms include white thin phlegm, chills, and runny nose; the cooling nature may worsen symptoms Pregnant women and women during menstruation – use with caution due to the cooling nature of Luo Han Guo Those allergic to Luo Han Guo or loquat leaves
