Description
Taiwan's most famous 'food as medicine' soup where the sweet/sourness of fermented pineapple (Fenglijiang), bitter melon, and chicken umami unite in trinity.
Restaurants serving Pineapple and Bitter Melon Chicken Soup
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs
- White bitter melon
- Fermented pineapple
- Ginger
- Goji berries
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- [Secret Condiment] Prepare 'Fenglijiang' (fermented pineapple in soy/salt); essential for this dish.
- Chop bone-in chicken thighs and parboil.
- Deseed white bitter melon and cut into large chunks.
- Put water, chicken, melon, ginger, and plenty of 'Fenglijiang' (with its juice) in a pot.
- Simmer on low for over
- hr until the melon is meltingly soft and the fermented pineapple umami dissolves into the broth.
- Season with salt only after tasting, as the pineapple is salty.
- Scatter goji berries to finish.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Fruity umami of fermented pineapple
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Fresh pineapple and miso (flavor changes significantly)
Pairing
White Rice
Trivia
[Hardcore] Don't scoff at 'pineapple in food'. Fermented pineapple becomes a supreme stock, transforming bitter melon's edge into mild richness. If a restaurant serves this, they 'know' authentic Taiwanese cuisine.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] You must eat the 'browned pineapple chunks' themselves! The fermentation-condensed umami explodes in your mouth!
Allergen
Chicken, Soy, Wheat (from pineapple ferment)