Waxgourd and Fish Ball Soup
Waxgourd and Fish Ball Soup is a light, clear broth soup popular in Chinese home cooking, especially in southern regions like Guangdong. It typically features tender slices of waxgourd (also known as winter melon) and bouncy fish balls, simmered in a simple chicken or pork broth with ginger and scallions.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is low in fat and carbohydrates, with a moderate amount of protein from the fish balls. It is hydrating and provides key nutrients like potassium and vitamin C from the waxgourd, with a rough calorie count of 150-200 kcal per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 170 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Selenium | 18 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 bowl (300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup is prized for its 'cooling' properties in traditional Chinese dietary therapy, making it a popular summer dish. Nutritionally, waxgourd is exceptionally low in calories and high in water content, making the soup a light yet satisfying option.
