
Lotus Seed and Pork Rib Soup is a classic, comforting Cantonese soup known for its clear, savory broth and tender ingredients. It typically features pork ribs simmered with dried or fresh lotus seeds, often accompanied by aromatics like ginger and sometimes red dates or goji berries. This dish is a staple in home cooking and dim sum restaurants across Southern China and Hong Kong.
This soup is a good source of protein from the pork ribs and provides complex carbohydrates and fiber from the lotus seeds. A typical serving is moderate in calories, generally ranging from 200 to 300 kcal, and offers minerals like potassium and phosphorus.
| Calories | 185 kcal |
| Protein | 12.5 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 7.5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3.5 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 420 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Selenium | 12 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3.5 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium | 35 mg |
| Zinc | 2.0 mg |
Per 1 bowl (300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
Culturally, this soup is valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its believed cooling properties and its association with promoting calmness and inner peace. Nutritionally, lotus seeds are a unique plant-based protein source that also contains essential minerals and bioactive compounds.