Soups
Dried Fig & Lean Pork Soup (Fig Lean Meat Soup)
Dried Fig & Lean Pork Soup is a classic Cantonese traditional medicinal soup, made with dried figs and lean pork as the main ingredients, supplemented with candied dates and ginger, slowly simmered for 1.5-3 hours. Figs are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, known for clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and strengthening the spleen and stomach; lean pork nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies qi and blood. The combination creates a sweet, refreshing, and mellow soup, achieving the effects of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, and tonifying qi and blood. Verified by experts at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, this soup has medicinal effects including relieving chronic pharyngitis and reducing vascular fat deposition.
Main Ingredients
- Dried figs 5-12 pieces
- Lean pork 200-400g
- Candied dates 2-3 pieces
- Fresh ginger 2-3 slices
- Salt to taste
Steps
Blanch pork chunks and soak figs.
Bring water to a boil in a soup pot, add all ingredients. Boil over high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5-2 hours.
Add salt to taste before serving.
TCM Notes
Dried Figs: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, strengthening the spleen, and detoxifying. Rich in amino acids, vitamins (A, B, C, E), and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. The lipase in figs helps break down blood lipids and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease; hydrolase reduces vascular fat deposition. The antitumor active substances and dietary fiber are not water-soluble, so eating the pulp along with the soup yields better results. Lean Pork: Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and tonifies qi and blood. Rich in high-quality protein and iron, helping improve iron-deficiency anemia. Candied Dates: Moistening, spleen-strengthening, and stomach-harmonizing; a classic pairing with figs. Overall: Sweet and moisturizing, with the effects of moistening the lungs, clearing heat, lowering lipids, and strengthening the spleen.
Suitable for：Those with sore throat, dry cough, and hoarseness Those with indigestion and poor appetite Those with hemorrhoids and chronic enteritis Those with constipation and intestinal heat Those with autumn dry cough in need of lung nourishment General population for daily nourishment, suitable for all ages
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency or diarrhea – figs are cooling and may worsen diarrhea Those allergic to figs Diabetes patients – figs and candied dates are high in sugar Those with hyperkalemia Those with fatty liver or cerebrovascular accidents Those with early-stage wind-cold cough (thin white phlegm) Avoid consuming with crab – both are cooling foods; may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea Avoid cold consumption; avoid raw, cold, spicy, and greasy foods
