Soups
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) & Fig Lean Pork Soup
Luo Han Guo & Fig Lean Pork Soup is a classic Cantonese nourishing soup, made with Luo Han Guo (monk fruit), figs, and lean pork, slowly simmered. Luo Han Guo, known as the “immortal fruit”, is cool in nature and sweet in taste, clearing the lungs, relieving sore throat, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough. Figs moisten the lungs, relieve sore throat, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (Nanbeixing) are known for moistening the lungs, relieving wheezing, and stopping cough. Lean pork nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies deficiency. The soup is clear, sweet, and mellow, with rich layers of flavor. It is suitable for sore throat, dry mouth, bad breath, constipation caused by lung-stomach heat, and dry throat discomfort due to autumn-winter dryness.
Main Ingredients
- Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) 1/4-1 piece
- Dried figs 5-8 pieces
- Lean pork 200-500g
- Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (Nanbeixing) 10g each
- Dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) 3-5g
- Fresh ginger 2-3 slices
- Salt to taste
Steps
Crush 1/4-1 piece of Luo Han Guo into small pieces; rinse 5-8 dried figs; rinse 10g each of sweet and bitter apricot kernels; soak tangerine peel in warm water until soft, scrape off the white pith (optional).
Cut 200-500g of lean pork into chunks or slices. Place in a pot with cold water and 1 slice of ginger, bring to a boil, skim off foam, rinse with warm water.
Place the prepared pork, Luo Han Guo, figs, apricot kernels, tangerine peel (optional), and remaining ginger in a clay pot. Add enough water (approx. 1500-3000ml)
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 1-1.5 hours.
Add salt to taste just before serving. Drink the soup, eat the meat and figs. Consume warm, divided into 2 servings. Take 3-4 times per week, for 5 days as one course.
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, vitamin C, and other compounds. Mogrosides do not participate in human metabolism and are a natural sugar substitute. Figs: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Known for moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, strengthening the spleen and stomach, clearing heat, generating fluids, and moistening the intestines. Sweet & Bitter Apricot Kernels (Nanbeixing) : Sweet apricot kernels (Nanxing) moisten the lungs and stop cough; bitter apricot kernels (Beixing) descend qi and relieve wheezing. Together, they moisten the lungs, relieve wheezing, resolve phlegm, and stop cough. Lean Pork: Provides high-quality protein and iron, nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies deficiency. Overall: Rich in vitamin B, C, glycosides, fructose, glucose, protein, iron, and other nutrients. The natural sweetness of Luo Han Guo means no additional sugar is needed.
Suitable for：Those with lung heat or lung dryness manifesting as dry cough with little phlegm, dry itchy sore throat, and hoarseness Those with lung-stomach heat manifesting as sore throat, dry mouth, bad breath, and constipation Those who frequently smoke, overuse their voice, or stay up late Those with dry throat discomfort due to autumn-winter dryness Diabetes patients (mogrosides do not participate in human metabolism and are a natural sugar substitute) General population for daily family wellness
Not suitable for：Those with wind-cold cough – symptoms include white thin phlegm, chills, and runny nose Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – symptoms include abdominal cold pain, diarrhea after cold foods, and loose stools Those with external wind-cold colds – avoid during the illness Pregnant women and women during menstruation – Luo Han Guo is cool in nature Those allergic to Luo Han Guo or figs General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption; may damage Spleen yang
