30-Minute Winter Melon Pork Ball Soup | Easy Chinese Soup Recipe

One of my favourite soups for warm Singapore weather. A light, protein-rich soup that's perfect for warm days.

Winter melon is naturally high in water and commonly used in Chinese soups for its cooling properties. Combined with dried scallops, dried shrimp and homemade pork balls, it creates a broth that's naturally sweet, deeply savoury and packed with flavour without needing hours of simmering.

It's one of those meals that feels both nourishing and easy to digest, making it a regular in our dinner rotation throughout the year.

Ingredients:

For the Soup

• 500g winter melon, seeds and rind removed, cubed
• 1 handful dried scallops
• 1 handful dried shrimp
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 slices ginger
• 1.8L water
• Weipa or chicken stock powder, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• 1 handful wolfberries, soaked
• Spring onions, sliced

For the Pork Balls

• 300g minced pork
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp sliced spring onions
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp cornflour
• ¼ tsp sugar
  
  

Instructions :

Step 1: Build the Broth

- Soak the dried scallops and dried shrimp for 30 minutes, then drain.
- Heat a little oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the scallops and dried shrimp and stir-fry until fragrant, using your spatula to break them into smaller pieces.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until aromatic.
- Pour in 1.5L boiling water and bring to a boil.
- Add the winter melon, cover and simmer for 20–30 minutes, until the winter melon becomes soft and translucent.

Step 2: Make the Pork Balls

- While the soup simmers, combine all pork ball ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix well until the mixture becomes slightly sticky, then roll into bite-sized balls.

Step 3: Finish the Soup

- Drop the pork balls into the simmering broth.
- Once they float to the surface, cook for another 2–3 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Taste the broth and season with Weipa or chicken stock powder, salt and a splash of soy sauce if needed.
- Add the soaked wolfberries and spring onions just before serving.
- Adults can finish with a sprinkle of white pepper.

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Dear Mama Tips

• Don't skip frying the dried scallops and shrimp. It makes a huge difference to the flavour of the broth.
• Winter melon should be soft enough to break apart with a spoon when it's ready.
• If your children aren't keen on winter melon it's normal, mine put it on the no thank you plate. The pork balls usually steal the spotlight.

What to Serve It With

• Handmade mee hoon kueh
• Rice
• Thin bee hoon
• Udon noodles

Or do what my kids do and stamp stars and hearts out of mee hoon kueh while the soup cooks.