Steamed Luffa with Minced Pork
Steamed Luffa with Minced Pork is a classic, light Chinese home-style dish, particularly popular in southern and coastal regions. It features tender, sponge-like luffa gourd cooked with savory minced pork, often enhanced with ginger, garlic, and a light soy-based sauce. The steaming method preserves the vegetable's delicate sweetness and creates a comforting, brothy texture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is relatively low in carbohydrates and fat, with a moderate amount of protein from the minced pork. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and minerals like potassium, providing a light meal with a rough calorie ballpark of 150-200 kcal per typical serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 170 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Vitamin C | 18 mg |
| Potassium | 420 mg |
| Vitamin K | 30 µg |
| Folate | 45 µg |
| Magnesium | 35 mg |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin A | 25 µg RAE |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this dish exemplifies the Chinese culinary principle of 'qing dan' (light and fresh), emphasizing natural flavors and gentle cooking. Nutritionally, luffa is over 95% water, making it exceptionally hydrating and low-calorie, while the steaming method minimizes added fats compared to stir-frying.
