Waxgourd and Pork Meatball Soup
Waxgourd and Pork Meatball Soup is a light, comforting Chinese home-style soup featuring tender pork meatballs and soft, translucent slices of waxgourd (winter melon) in a clear, savory broth. It's a classic dish, especially popular in summer, originating from Chinese cuisine and valued for its refreshing and hydrating qualities.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is a balanced, low-calorie dish that is a good source of protein from the pork and provides hydration and key minerals from the waxgourd. A typical serving is around 150-200 calories, with moderate protein, low fat, and minimal carbohydrates.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Phosphorus | 140 mg |
| Selenium | 12 mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
Per 1 bowl (approx. 300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup is a staple of Chinese 'cooling' foods, believed to help dispel internal heat during hot weather. Nutritionally, waxgourd is over 95% water and very low in calories, making the soup a filling yet light option for hydration and nutrient intake.
