Authentic Pork Hock Bamboo Soup

Fresh bamboo shoot soup with pork hock is a beloved traditional Vietnamese dish enjoyed by many families. Not only does it boast a rich, savory flavor, but this soup is also highly nutritious, featuring a perfect combination of tender, sweet pork hock and crisp, refreshing fresh bamboo shoots. Let’s discover how to prepare this nourishing dish right away!

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Serves 4)

Ingredients for pork hock and bamboo shoot soup

• Pork hock: 500g
• Fresh bamboo shoots: 300g
• Shallots: 3 cloves
• Red chilies: 2
• Scallions, cilantro
• Seasonings: salt, seasoning granules (e.g., Knorr), pepper, MSG, fish sauce, cooking oil

Ingredient Note: It’s best to choose the foreleg pork hock as this part has more meat, less fat, and is less gamey than the hind leg.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

• Scrape any remaining hair off the pork hock and wash it thoroughly with diluted saltwater. Blanch it in a pot of boiling water with a little salt and vinegar for about 2-3 minutes. Then, remove it, rinse with cold water, and use tweezers to pluck out any remaining hairs.
• Marinate the pork hock with 1 teaspoon of seasoning granules, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Preparing the pork hock for soup

• Rinse the fresh bamboo shoots, soak them in salted water for about 30 minutes, then boil for 5 minutes. Remove, soak in cold water, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Slice the chilies. Wash and chop the scallions and cilantro. Peel and thinly slice the shallots.

Cook the Soup

• Heat some cooking oil in a pot and sauté the sliced shallots until fragrant. Add the marinated pork hock and sear until lightly browned. Add about 1.5 liters of water.
• When the water comes to a rolling boil, skim off any foam to ensure a clear broth. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pork hock is tender, then add the bamboo shoots.

Simmering pork hock and bamboo shoot soup in a pot

• Season the soup to taste with fish sauce and MSG. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes for the ingredients to absorb the flavors. Finally, add the chopped scallions, cilantro, and pepper, then turn off the heat.

The Perfect Result

A standard pork hock and bamboo shoot soup should feature:

• Crisp bamboo shoots that have absorbed the seasonings
• Tender pork hock that isn’t falling apart
• A clear broth with a naturally sweet and clean taste
• A harmonious and rich flavor profile

Finished bowl of pork hock bamboo shoot soup

With the recipe above, you can successfully prepare a delicious and nutritious pork hock bamboo shoot soup for your whole family. Save this recipe and try it today!

Expert Tip

To make the dish even more interesting, you can reduce the amount of water to create a richer, braised bamboo dish (similar to “kho măng”). This is a delightful variation to add diversity to your family meals.

We hope this article has provided you with useful information on how to make pork hock bamboo shoot soup. Don’t forget to follow our website for more exciting cooking recipes!