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Pork Meatball and Chinese Yam Soup — finished dish, ready to serve.

Chinese Yam and Pork Meatball Soup

山药肉丸汤 · pan chinese cuisine

45 min total30 min cooking3 stepssavorylight

This light, stomach-friendly soup is popular in autumn home cooking for children. The pork is mixed into a soft meatball base, cooked briefly, then simmered with Chinese yam; the meatballs come out tender, never dry. Recommended for babies over one year old.

Marisol Vega's profile photoMarisol VegaFirst-gen Mexican American mom of three trying to finally write down my abuela's recipes before I forget them. Slow-cooked pozole Sunday regular here. Ask me about mole shortcuts!

Nutrition & allergens

Contains:Egg

Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.

Per serving (4 servings)

Energy (kcal)
Unknown
Protein (g)
Unknown
Fat (g)
Unknown
Carbs (g)
Unknown
Sodium (mg)
Unknown

Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.

  • Chinese yam山药

    1.0 piece

  • Meat ingredient

    Meat肉🥩

    7.05 oz

  • Egg ingredient identification photo

    egg鸡蛋

    1.0 piece

  • Scallion-ginger water ingredient

    Scallion-ginger water葱姜水

    as needed

  • Fine salt ingredient identification photo

    salt盐

    to taste

Techniques you'll use

  • Marinating ↗

    Season protein ahead with soy, wine, and starch for flavor and texture.

  • Stir-frying ↗

    Cook small pieces in stages, then bring them together while their textures are distinct.

  • Simmering (dun) ↗

    Gentle low-heat cooking in liquid until flavors merge and meat softens.

Steps

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Off heatMarinating ↗
    Pork Meatball and Chinese Yam Soup — step 1 visual checkpoint.

    Mince the pork, add one spoonful of cornstarch, soy sauce to taste, and a small amount of finely chopped scallion and ginger. Mix well.

    ✅ Done when: The mixture is uniform, with the starch, soy sauce, scallion, and ginger evenly incorporated.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Medium-high heatStir-frying ↗Simmering (dun) ↗
    Pork Meatball and Chinese Yam Soup — step 2 visual checkpoint.

    Heat oil in a pot, add the Chinese yam, and stir-fry briefly. Pour in water as needed; once it boils, cook until the yam is soft, then add the meatballs.

    ✅ Done when: The yam pieces are soft and tender when pierced, and the broth is at a rolling boil.

  3. 3

    Step 35 min

    Medium heatSimmering (dun) ↗

    Simmer the meatballs for five minutes, then season the soup with salt to taste.

    ✅ Done when: After five minutes, the meatballs are cooked through and the soup is seasoned to taste.