老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Damp-dispelling

Five-finger fig root (hairy fig) and carrot soup with pork ribs

五指毛桃紅蘿蔔排骨湯
strengthens the spleenreplenishes qidispels dampnessrelaxes sinews and jointsmoistens the lungsSpringAll year slow-boiled · 2 hours A$16–18

“The pot for damp weather.”

Ingredients

百子櫃Hairy fig root75 g
街市Carrot2
百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed40 g (1 tael)
街市Pork spare ribs· or 1 pork trotter600 g
百子櫃Candied honey date2
百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel1 piece

Method

  1. Soak and rinse the 五指毛桃 (hairy fig root) until the water runs clear; soak and rinse the Job's tears; peel the carrots and cut them into chunks.
  2. Blanch the pork ribs (飛水, a quick boil) to draw out the blood and scum.
  3. Bring 2.5 litres of water to the boil over high heat, then add all the ingredients.
  4. Once it returns to the boil, turn the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours; the soup carries a light coconut milk fragrance.
  5. Season with salt and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • low energy and tiring easily
  • constant yawning and sleepiness
  • suitable for young and old

Who should take care

  • Few restrictions, suitable for young and old (research source)
  • Pregnant women should be cautious with Job's tears
  • People with gout or high uric acid should drink only a little, long-boiled meat soups are high in purines (general warning across this collection)

Soup stories

Hairy fig root gives off a coconut milk fragrance as it boils, and it has long been called "southern astragalus" for building strength without heat. It began as a Hakka favourite and was later taken up right across Hong Kong.

From the same family

Winter melon, Job's tears and lotus leaf soup with pork ribsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
冬瓜薏米荷葉排骨湯
clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummer
街市Winter melon· 900 g (1.5 catties)百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 75 g百子櫃Lotus leaf· half a sheet百子櫃White hyacinth bean· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Black-eyed pea and tangerine peel soup with common carpNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
眉豆陳皮鯉魚湯
strengthens the spleenpromotes water metabolismAll year
百子櫃Common carp· 1, about 300 g or more百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 100 g百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 10 g街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot for damp weather.”

Hairy gourd, black-eyed pea and peanut soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
節瓜眉豆花生雞腳湯
strengthens the spleendispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummerAll year
街市Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon· 2百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.