Pork Ribs Soup with Winter Melon
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 2
This winter melon pork rib soup recipe makes a light, savoury sweet broth with tender pork ribs and soft winter melon. I used goji berries and red dates to add natural sweetness instead of using extra seasoning. The soup is also warm and comforting with cooling properties, and it doesn’t take much effort to make.
Watch How to Make It
Equipment
A pot with a lid, at least 2.5 litres in size.
What Is Winter Melon?
Winter melon (冬瓜, dōngguā) is a large, pale green gourd native to South and Southeast Asia and widely grown across China and other parts of Asia. Its flesh is mild and slightly sweet, and it turns soft and almost translucent once simmered, taking on the flavour of the broth around it. It’s a common addition to Chinese soups and is often eaten to help cool the body in hot weather. You can find whole or pre-cut winter melon at most Asian grocery stores and wet markets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Serves 2
- 600 grams pork ribs (600克猪排骨)
- 400 grams winter melon (400克冬瓜)
- 3 red dates, pitted (3颗去核红枣)
- 30 grams goji berries (30克枸杞) (buy from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon)
- 1500 ml water (1500毫升水)
- Salt to taste (盐适量)
How to Make Pork Ribs Soup with Winter Melon
Step 1 — Rinse and Blanch the Pork Ribs
Rinse the pork ribs under running water until the water runs clear. Place them in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Drain and rinse again under running water to remove the grey foam.
Tip: Blanching the pork ribs first is what keeps the soup clear instead of cloudy.
Step 2 — Prepare the Winter Melon
Peel the skin off the winter melon. Cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and soft pith in the centre. Cut the flesh into large chunks, about 1.5 to 2 inches each.
Step 3 — Rinse the Goji Berries and Red Dates
Rinse the goji berries and red dates under water, and remove the pit from the red dates.
Step 4 — Combine and Simmer
Add the blanched pork ribs, winter melon, goji berries and red dates into a pot. Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Tip: If you prefer the pork ribs more tender, simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours instead.
Step 5 — Season and Serve
Season with salt to taste and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Pork Ribs Soup with Winter Melon
- Don’t skip the blanching step. It removes blood and impurities from the pork ribs and keeps the broth clear instead of cloudy.
- Simmer longer for more tender ribs. 45 minutes gives tender meat that still holds onto the bone. For ribs that fall off the bone, simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Cut the winter melon into large chunks. It softens quickly and can turn mushy if the pieces are cut too small.
- Add ginger if you find winter melon too cooling. Winter melon is considered cooling in Chinese food therapy. Add 2 to 3 slices of ginger to the soup to help balance that out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to blanch the pork ribs before making this soup?
Yes. Blanching removes blood and impurities from the pork, which keeps the broth clear. Skipping this step results in a cloudy, grey soup.
What pork ribs should I use?
Spare ribs or ribs from the soft bone area work best. They have more connective tissue around the bone, which gives the broth more body and keeps the meat tender after simmering.
What does winter melon taste like in soup?
Winter melon has a very mild, slightly sweet flavour on its own. Once simmered, it turns soft and almost translucent, and takes on the flavour of the broth around it.
Is winter melon soup good for you?
Yes. It’s a light, low-calorie soup made mostly of pork ribs, winter melon and mild herbs, with no heavy oil or seasoning. Winter melon is also commonly eaten in Chinese cooking to help cool the body in hot weather.
Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
Some winter melon pork rib soup recipes include additions like corn and carrots, which add extra natural sweetness to the broth. This recipe keeps things simple with just pork ribs, winter melon, goji berries and red dates.
How long can I store this soup?
Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat until hot.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to tag @ruyiasianrecipes if you share it on social media.
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Pork Ribs Soup with Winter Melon
Ingredients
- 600 grams pork ribs (600克猪排骨)
- 400 grams winter melon (400克冬瓜)
- 3 red dates, pitted (3颗去核红枣)
- 30 grams goji berries (30克枸杞)
- 1500 ml water (1500毫升水)
- Salt to taste (盐适量)
Instructions
Step 1 — Rinse and Blanch the Pork Ribs
- Rinse the pork ribs under running water until the water runs clear. Place them in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Drain and rinse again under running water to remove the grey foam.
- Tip: Blanching the pork ribs first is what keeps the soup clear instead of cloudy.
Step 2 — Prepare the Winter Melon
- Peel the skin off the winter melon. Cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and soft pith in the centre. Cut the flesh into large chunks, about 1.5 to 2 inches each.
Step 3 — Rinse the Goji Berries and Red Dates
- Rinse the goji berries and red dates under water, and remove the pit from the red dates.
Step 4 — Combine and Simmer
- Add the blanched pork ribs, winter melon, goji berries and red dates into a pot. Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Tip: If you prefer the pork ribs more tender, simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours instead.
Step 5 — Season and Serve
- Season with salt to taste and serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the blanching step. It removes blood and impurities from the pork ribs and keeps the broth clear instead of cloudy.
- Simmer longer for more tender ribs. 45 minutes gives tender meat that still holds onto the bone. For ribs that fall off the bone, simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Cut the winter melon into large chunks. It softens quickly and can turn mushy if the pieces are cut too small.
- Add ginger if you find winter melon too cooling. Winter melon is considered cooling in Chinese food therapy. Add 2 to 3 slices of ginger to the soup to help balance that out.
