When I think about this Lotus Root and Pork Soup (莲藕排骨汤), a very happy childhood memory comes to mind. When I was little and living in Hubei, the lotus harvest was always such a festive event. The village would drain out some of the water in the town’s large lotus pond, causing the pond’s carp to jump and leap into the air in all the commotion.
The town’s men would all get in the water, using their hands and feet to feel around for lotus roots. When they found one, they’d pull it triumphantly out of the water, while the women and kids cheered them on. There were always many “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” when a particularly large lotus root would surface.
Around that time, when lotus roots were plentiful, I remember this special lotus root and pork soup being served often. It was a simple, nourishing, tasty soup that Hubei natives would love to treat their friends and special guests to, and it’s a recipe that I still love to make today.
I added seaweed to my version, but that’s totally optional. I do think it adds more flavor, and it’s also quite healthy! I also have a habit of adding dried goji berries to most of my soup recipes, which I learned from Bill’s mother. I once read somewhere that goji berries can improve your overall Qi (energy flow), and we all need that, right? A little boost couldn’t hurt!
Important Recipe Tips
Ok, here are some important basics to know when making this lotus root soup recipe:
- Don’t add any additional water during the cooking process. If you must, add boiling water only.
- Whenever possible, use meat on the bone. We used pork ribs for this recipe, but you could also use pork neck bones.
- Soup is like stew…it always tastes better the 2nd day. Bill strongly believes that the last bowl of soup always tastes the best! With that in mind, feel free to prepare this soup a day in advance if you have the time.
- If you can’t find fresh lotus roots, you can substitute dried lotus roots. You’ll just have to rehydrate them first.
- I like to serve the soup with light soy sauce as a dipping sauce for the pork and lotus roots. I’ll let you in on a secret if you don’t know this already: pork (on the bone) and light soy sauce is a combination made in heaven.
Recipe Instructions
Soak the pork ribs or neck bones in cold water for an hour. Then rinse thoroughly, drain, and set aside. Boil a large pot of water, and add the pork bones to blanch. Once the water is boiling again, let it cook for 1 more minute. Turn off the heat, drain, and wash the pork bones clean. This process will give you a really clear (rather than cloudy) soup.
If you want to include re-hydrated seaweed, you can buy dried seaweed (kelp/kombu) or rehydrated seaweed at your Asian supermarket. Just try to avoid seaweed “knots,” as they tend to be a bit sandy. It takes at least 3 hours to rehydrate dried seaweed kelp, so you can soak it the night before. Once soaked, simply wash the seaweed in a basin of water until the water is completely clear. Then drain, and it’s ready to add to the pot.
Right before you’re ready to start the soup, peel the lotus root and cut it into large chunks (If you do this too early, the lotus root will oxidize, similar to a potato. So hold off until you’re about to start cooking).
To start the lotus root soup, add all the prepared ingredients to a stock pot or earthen pot: the (blanched) pork, seaweed/kelp, lotus root, ginger, dried goji berries (if using), and cold water.
Bring it to boil, and then immediately turn it to down to a slow simmer. Cover and let it simmer for at least 4 hours…the longer the better. Reheating it the next day will make it even more flavorful. Add salt to taste, and serve with chopped scallion on top.
Lotus Root & Pork Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork ribs or pork neck bones (900g)
- 1 cup re-hydrated seaweed/kelp (optional)
- 1 pound lotus root (450g)
- 4 slices ginger
- 1 tablespoon dried goji berries (optional)
- 12 cups cold water
- salt (to taste)
- 1 scallion (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Soak the pork ribs or neck bones in cold water for an hour. Then rinse thoroughly, drain, and set aside. Boil a large pot of water, and add the pork bones to blanch. Once the water is boiling again, let it cook for 1 more minute. Turn off the heat, drain, and wash the pork bones clean. This process will give you a really clear (rather than cloudy) soup.
- If you want to include seaweed, you can buy dried seaweed (kelp/kombu) or rehydrated seaweed at your Asian supermarket. Just try to avoid seaweed "knots," as they tend to be a bit sandy. It takes at least 3 hours to rehydrate dried seaweed, so you can soak it the night before. Once soaked, simply wash the seaweed in a basin of water until the water is completely clear. Then drain, and it's ready to add to the pot.
- Right before you're ready to start the soup, peel the lotus root and cut it into large chunks (If you do this too early, the lotus root will oxidize, similar to a potato. So hold off until you're about to start cooking).
- To start the soup, add all the prepared ingredients to a stock pot: the (blanched) pork, seaweed, lotus root, ginger, goji berries and cold water. Bring it to boil, and then immediately turn it to down to a slow simmer. Cover and let it simmer for at least 4 hours...the longer the better. Reheating it the next day will make it even more flavorful. Add salt to taste, and serve with chopped scallion on top.
nutrition facts
This brings back memories…we sisters have not had this soup since our parents’ passing almost 20 years ago. This was definitely our favorite soup since we love to see the strands of fiber when we bit into the root while pulling it away from our mouths. We would have a contest to see who had the longest length! I’m very, very happy to have found this recipe. Now, l just have to figure out how to choose the right lotus root!
So glad we can be helpful, Nancy :-)
I made this a few times a while back, and let me tell you, the cooking time was absolutely worth it. The broth was savory and delicious, the pork practically fell off the bone, and lotus root has become a new favorite. This was the recipe that introduced me to your site, which has quickly become the go-to cooking website for my friends and I. Thank you so much!
Wow! How great is that? Thank you so much :-)
Hi Judy, do you know how to call pork neck bone in chinese? I need to translate it to my butcher. Thanks.
“猪颈骨” is neck bone which are more meaty than 猪脊骨 which is the backbone (less meat, more bone marrow). You can also use meaty pork ribs for this soup, which is more common in this case.
I had extra time so I simmered for 7 hours instead of 4. So much more flavorful! Thank you
For sure, more flavorful with longer simmering.
I’m looking forward to trying to make this soup over the weekend while my roommate and I are both dying from vaccine shot #2! Like many here, we’re both fans of the Untamed (though I’ve been in love with and trying to learn to make various Asian cuisines well before that show came into our lives) so we’re both very excited to try this soup while we’re recovering.
I was wondering though if it’s possible to blanch the pork ribs the night before? Mostly out of precaution in case the vax hits really hard the day I plan on making the soup so if it’s all ready the night before then I can just toss it straight in the pot for the allotted time and not have to overexert while I’m not feeling 100%
Feel better soon, Misha, and yes, you can blanch the meat the night before.
This was delicious Judy! thank you so much for sharing your tips. I make this periodically for my family now and they love the flavor and the authenticity of the dish.
That’s so awesome!
Classic soup. We loved it! Thank you.
You are very welcome, Cynthia.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I have been itching to try and cook Lotus Root and Pork Soup ever since one of my friends introduced it to me. I am confident that I will be able to get this right thanks to your help!
You are very welcome, Dali.
Hello can I use sliced frozen lotus root?
Yes, you can.
Hello. Can I use the sliced lotus roots that come in a bag with water?
You can, Cherry, but they are more for stir-fries. It would be better if you could find the dried lotus roots.