Snow Pear and Fritillaria Soup: A Hong Kong Remedy for Coughs and Dry Throats

When the seasons change in Hong Kong, the weather swings between muggy and cool within days. Dry coughs, scratchy throats, and hoarse voices follow close behind — in children and adults alike. Pharmacies stock plenty of cough syrups, but many Hong Kong parents reach for the soup pot first. A slow-simmered broth feels more grounding than a lozenge, and it smells like someone cares.

Snow pear and fritillaria soup is that broth. Sweet snow pear paired with fritillaria bulb — a traditional TCM herb for clearing phlegm and soothing coughs — simmered with lean pork for a clear, light sweetness. It is gentle enough for children, comforting enough for tired adults, and simple enough to make on a weeknight.

Why These Ingredients Work

Snow pear (雪梨) is cooling in nature by TCM classification, with a natural sweetness that moistens the lungs and clears heat. It is one of the most recommended autumn and winter ingredients for dryness and irritation in the respiratory tract.

Fritillaria bulb (川貝母) is a classic TCM cough herb, specifically suited to dry coughs, productive coughs with sticky phlegm, and throat soreness. Paired with snow pear, the two reinforce each other — the pear moistens, the fritillaria clears.

Lean pork adds a clean savoury depth without making the broth greasy, and helps even picky eaters accept the soup readily.

Note: Fritillaria bulb is a medicinal herb. For children under 3, or anyone currently taking medication, consult a TCM practitioner or doctor before use.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 snow pears (about 400g, cored and cut into chunks)
• 250g lean pork (blanched)
• 15g dried fritillaria bulb (川貝母, available at Chinese herb shops; soak 20 min)
• 15g sweet and bitter apricot kernels (南北杏)
• 3–4 dried figs (optional, for sweetness)
• 2–3 dried honey dates (蜜棗)
• 1.5–2 litres water
• Salt to taste

Method

Prep

Peel and core the snow pears, cut into large chunks. Blanch the lean pork in boiling water for 2 minutes to remove impurities, then rinse clean. Rinse the fritillaria, apricot kernels, figs, and honey dates briefly under cold water.

Bring to a Boil

Place all ingredients except the fritillaria into the pot with the water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

Slow Simmer

Skim off any foam, then add the fritillaria bulb. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. Adding the fritillaria after boiling preserves more of its active compounds.

Season and Serve

The broth should be a pale golden amber with a clean, natural sweetness. Add a pinch of salt to taste before serving. Eat the pear and pork alongside the soup — both are good. Best served warm.

Tips for Children

• Serve 150–200ml per sitting for children aged 3–6, one to two times a week.
• Add an extra honey date for sweetness rather than refined sugar; the pear provides plenty on its own.
• Check the temperature before serving to children — test on your wrist.
• For children under 3, skip the fritillaria and make a simple snow pear and lean pork soup instead.

Common Questions

Can I make it without fritillaria? Yes. Plain snow pear and lean pork soup is already moistening and soothing. The cough-clearing effect is milder. You can substitute Solomon's seal (玉竹) or lily bulb (百合) for a similarly gentle result.

Which pear should I use? Any firm, unbruised snow pear works well. The pear softens during cooking into something almost silky — most children who resist raw pear will eat it happily from the pot.

Can I use a double-boiler instead? Yes. Place everything in a covered ceramic pot and steam over water for 2 to 2.5 hours. The broth comes out even clearer.

How long does it keep? Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat and drink the next day. Don't keep longer than two days.

Variations

• Snow fungus version: Replace fritillaria with soaked dried snow fungus (銀耳) for a clearer, nourishing broth that works for the whole family.
• Vegetarian: Skip the pork and add hairy gourd or walnuts. Still sweet and calming.
• Honey version: Once the soup has cooled to warm, stir in a teaspoon of raw honey instead of salt. More soothing for adult throats.

A pot of soup on the stove is one of Hong Kong's most instinctive acts of care. Snow pear and fritillaria soup asks for nothing more than patience and good ingredients. Simmer it on a Sunday afternoon, pour it into bowls before dinner, and let it do what generations of Hong Kong kitchens have always known it can.

Photo: Alpha from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons