Low Sodium Bak Kut Teh

Experience the comforting warmth of *Low Sodium Bak Kut Teh*, a healthier twist on the traditional Malaysian-Singaporean herbal soup. This aromatic dish features tender pork ribs simmered with garlic, ginger, and a blend of fragrant spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and a mix of white and black peppercorns. Enhanced with low sodium soy sauce and a touch of dark soy for color, this recipe offers a flavorful broth with reduced salt, making it perfect for anyone seeking a heart-healthy option. The addition of shiitake mushrooms and Chinese cabbage adds earthy depth and vibrant freshness, rounding out the dish beautifully. Simple to prepare and slow-cooked for maximum flavor, this light yet hearty soup is perfect as a satisfying stand-alone meal or served alongside steamed rice. Discover a wholesome way to enjoy this iconic comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 700 g pork ribs
• 2000 ml water
• 2 garlic bulbs
• 2 tbsp white peppercorns
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 3 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 cloves
• 30 g ginger
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 100 g shiitake mushrooms
• 200 g chinese cabbage

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pork ribs under cold water to remove any bone fragments, then place them in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes to parboil.

Step 2

Remove the ribs and rinse under cold water again. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large soup pot, bring 2000ml of water to a boil.

Step 4

Smash the garlic bulbs gently with the side of a knife. Add to the boiling water.

Step 5

Toast the white and black peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon stick, and cloves in a dry pan until aromatic, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add toasted spices into the pot.

Step 7

Peel and slice the ginger into thick coins and add to the pot.

Step 8

Add the parboiled ribs to the pot.

Step 9

Add the low sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar to the pot and bring it to a boil.

Step 10

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for 1 hour, partially covered, until the ribs are tender.

Step 11

Soak and rinse the shiitake mushrooms, then add them to the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Step 12

Slice the chinese cabbage into large pieces and add to the pot, simmering until just tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 13

Adjust taste as needed with a small amount of additional low sodium soy sauce or sugar, if preferred.

Step 14

Serve hot, either as a stand-alone dish or with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3169.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2349.1

Total Fat 169.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 658mg	0%
Sodium 2943.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 57.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.7g	0%
Total Sugars 9.7g
Protein 158.6g	0%

Vitamin D 18IU	0%
Calcium 733.3mg	0%
Iron 19.5mg	0%
Potassium 3249.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.8%

Protein: 26.5%

Carbs: 9.6%