Coix Seed, Chinese Yam & Pork Rib Soup

Main Ingredients

• Pork ribs 500g
• Coix seeds (Job’s tears) 50-80g
• Chinese yam 300g
• Fresh ginger 3-5 slices
• Dried tangerine peel 1 small piece
• Red dates 3-5 pieces
• Goji berries 10g
• Water 2000-2500ml
• Salt to taste
• Cooking wine 1 tbsp

Steps

1. Rinse 50-80g of coix seeds, remove impurities, and soak in water for 2-4 hours or overnight until expanded. Drain and set aside. If you have Spleen-Stomach Cold, dry-roast the coix seeds in a pan over low heat until slightly yellow to reduce their cool nature. Cut 500g of pork ribs into small sections. Place in a pot with cold water, add 2-3 slices of ginger and 1 tbsp of cooking wine. Bring to a boil, skim off all foam, boil for 3-5 minutes, remove, rinse with warm water, and drain. Wear gloves to peel 300g of Chinese yam (to prevent skin irritation from the mucilage). Cut into 2-3cm roll-cut chunks. Immediately place in clean water to prevent oxidation.

   

2. Place the blanched ribs, soaked coix seeds, remaining ginger slices, tangerine peel (optional), and red dates (optional) into a clay pot or soup pot. Add about 2000-2500ml of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover with a small gap, and simmer for 60-80 minutes until the ribs are tender and the coix seeds are soft.

   

3. Remove the yam from the water and add to the pot. Continue simmering over low heat for 20-30 minutes until the yam is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

   

4. Add 10g of goji berries (optional) 5 minutes before turning off the heat.

   

5. Add salt to taste (add salt only at the end—adding it early toughens the ribs). Gently stir. Turn off the heat and serve warm. Once daily, about 1 bowl (250-300ml) per serving. Healthy individuals should consume 2-3 times per week. Those with hyperlipidemia should skim off surface fat before consuming.

   

TCM Notes

Pork Ribs: Contain approximately 15-20g protein and 12-20g fat per 100g. Rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and B vitamins. Known for nourishing yin, moistening dryness, tonifying the middle, boosting qi, and strengthening sinews and bones. The collagen and calcium in ribs support bone health. Purine content is approximately 75-150mg per 100g—a moderate-to-high purine ingredient. Coix Seeds (Job’s Tears): Contain approximately 12.8g protein, 3.3g fat, 71.1g carbohydrates, and 2g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Known for strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, reducing edema, clearing heat, and draining pus. Coix seeds are a low-GI food (GI approximately 55), suitable as part of a staple food replacement. Chinese Yam: Contains approximately 1.9g protein, 12.4g carbohydrates, and 0.8g dietary fiber per 100g. Rich in mucilage protein, amylase, polyphenol oxidase, saponins, vitamin C, and minerals including potassium and magnesium. Known for strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, nourishing the kidneys, and boosting qi. Mucilage protein protects the gastric mucosa, and amylase aids starch digestion. Synergistic Effect: Pork ribs tonify deficiency and strengthen bones; coix seeds strengthen the spleen and drain dampness; Chinese yam strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach. One tonifies, one drains dampness, one nourishes—tonifying without being greasy, draining without harming the body, and nourishing without causing stagnation. Total approx. 350-450 kcal (lower after skimming fat), 25-30g protein—a high-protein, moderate-carbohydrate spleen-strengthening, dampness-draining, and nourishing soup.

Suitable for：Those with heavy dampness, body heaviness, and thick greasy tongue coating Those with weak spleen and dampness, poor appetite, indigestion, and sticky stools Those with edema, difficult urination, and morning eyelid puffiness Children, teenagers, and middle-aged/elderly individuals needing calcium Those with weak constitution or in post-illness recovery needing nutrition Those with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (consume适量 after skimming fat) General population for summer or rainy season spleen-strengthening, dampness-draining, and daily wellness

Not suitable for：Pregnant women – avoid or use with caution. Coix seeds are slippery in nature; pharmacological studies show they stimulate uterine smooth muscle and may induce contractions, potentially increasing the risk of miscarriage. Avoid large amounts, especially in early pregnancy. Acute gout / hyperuricemia patients – pork ribs are moderate-to-high in purine, and coix seeds have moderate purine; purines dissolve into the soup. Absolutely avoid during acute flare-ups; during remission, eat a small amount of meat and coix seeds but discard the broth. Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – coix seeds are slightly cool; those with cold intolerance, easy diarrhea, or abdominal cold pain should not consume much. Add 3-5 slices of ginger, 1 small piece of tangerine peel, or 3-5 red dates to balance the cool nature. Women during menstruation – coix seeds are cool; excessive consumption may worsen menstrual discomfort or dysmenorrhea. Those with frequent urination or excessive urine output – coix seeds promote diuresis and may worsen symptoms. Those with diarrhea or loose stools – coix seeds are high in fiber and slightly cool, which may worsen diarrhea. Diabetes and blood sugar abnormality – omit sugar and control coix seed and yam portions, reducing staple food accordingly. Hyperlipidemia and high cholesterol – skim off surface fat before consuming and control rib portion. Those with renal insufficiency – pork ribs contain protein and coix seeds are high in potassium; portion size must be under medical guidance. Those taking Chinese or Western medication – coix seeds have dampness-draining effects; avoid large amounts within 1-2 hours of taking medication. Those allergic to pork ribs, coix seeds, or Chinese yam. Those with sensitive skin to yam – wear gloves when handling yam to avoid skin irritation from the mucilage.