1-First Step: Blanch the Ribs Start by boiling 6 cups of water in a large pot over high heat. Add the 1½ pounds of pork rib tips or ribs cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces, then reduce to a simmer for 2 minutes. This step removes impurities, so drain and rinse the ribs under running water to keep the broth clear and clean-tasting, just like in traditional methods.

2-Second Step: Simmer the Base Transfer the blanched ribs to a clean pot along with the 5 smashed ginger slices and 8 cups of fresh water. Bring everything to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to maintain a light simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 90 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop slowly for a delicate, clear broth that’s central to this Chinese watercress soup recipe.

3-Third Step: Prepare the Watercress While the ribs simmer, trim and wash the 1 to 2 bunches of watercress (about 8 ounces each) thoroughly, rinsing 2-3 times under cold water to remove any dirt. This ensures the greens stay fresh and add a vibrant touch to your pork ribs watercress soup without any gritty texture.

4-Fourth Step: Add Seasoning and Continue Simmering After the initial 90 minutes, stir in 1¼ teaspoons of salt, then cover and simmer for another 30 minutes. At this point, stir the soup and use a fine-mesh strainer to remove any floating particles, followed by skimming off excess grease with a ladle. This keeps the broth light and appealing, perfect for a Sai Yeung Choy Tong that’s both healthy and tasty.

5-Fifth Step: Incorporate the Watercress Add the prepared watercress to the pot, cover, and bring it back to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook for 15-30 minutes, depending on how intense you want the flavor and color. Shorter times keep the greens bright and crisp, while longer cooking infuses more of that signature peppery note into your Chinese watercress soup.

6-Final Step: Season and Serve Once done, taste and season with additional salt and white pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, ideally with rice and a small dish of light soy sauce for dipping the tender pork ribs. For an extra nutritional boost, remember the health benefits of watercress, which make this dish a great choice for your family’s table.