Winter Melon Soup
A light and refreshing soup, Taiwanese Winter Melon Soup (Dong Gua Tang) is a staple in many households. Made with tender winter melon, often simmered with pork bones or chicken, it's a nourishing and hydrating dish, especially popular during warmer months.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (about 680g) Winter melon, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
- 1.5 lbs (about 680g) Pork neck bones or chicken bones
- 8 cups Water
- 1 knob Ginger, sliced
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- dash White pepper
- 4 Dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked
- 4 Dried red dates, soaked
- 1 tbsp Dried goji berries, soaked
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the pork or chicken bones. Place them in a large pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to parboil and remove impurities. Skim off any scum. Drain and rinse the bones.
💡 Tip: Parboiling ensures a clear and clean broth. - 2
Return the rinsed bones to the clean pot. Add the sliced ginger, soaked shiitake mushrooms (stems removed, sliced if large), and soaked red dates. Add fresh water to cover all ingredients.
💡 Tip: Using a mix of pork and chicken bones can create a richer flavor. - 3
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pork bones are tender and the broth has developed flavor.
💡 Tip: Simmering gently allows the flavors to meld without making the broth cloudy. - 4
Add the winter melon chunks and soaked goji berries to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the winter melon is tender and translucent.
💡 Tip: Winter melon cooks relatively quickly, so add it towards the end of the cooking time. - 5
Season the soup with salt and a dash of white pepper to taste. Stir well and bring back to a gentle boil before serving.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust saltiness as needed, as the flavors will concentrate as it simmers. - 6
Serve hot, ensuring each bowl gets a good portion of winter melon, meat from the bones, and broth.
💡 Tip: This soup is often enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger meal.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓You can leave the peel on the winter melon for added nutrients and a slightly different texture, just ensure it's well washed.
- ✓For a richer broth, you can add a piece of dried mandarin peel (soaked and scraped) during simmering.
- ✓Some variations include adding dried scallops or dried shrimp for extra umami.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute pork bones with chicken carcass or feet for a lighter broth.
- Add a small piece of dried squid for a subtle seafood note.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bones and use vegetable broth, adding more mushrooms and perhaps some firm tofu.