ABC Soup (Pork Ribs, Potato, Carrot, Onion)

Note: First posted in Jul 2009, now updated with new photos and improved recipe.

This Chinese pork ribs soup with vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, celery) is commonly known as “ABC soup” or “luo song tang” 罗宋汤 here. I think every family who cooks Chinese soups in Singapore (and Malaysia) cook some form of ABC soup if you see potatoes, carrots, corn etc in their pot. You know the combination of ingredients is perfect when 10 minutes into simmering, the entire kitchen is filled with a wonderful soup aroma.

Similar Recipe:

• ABC Soup (with chicken instead of pork)

See Also:

• Chinese-Style Minestrone Soup Recipe
• Homely Chinese Soups Recipes

I always wonder why it is called ABC soup since there are no pasta letters in it, and the main ingredients (typically potatoes and carrots) do not form the letters A, B and C. Check out the following fun compilation of readers’ comments which explain the origins of the soup name.

Possible reasons for the name “ABC Soup” from readers’ comments, thanks for sharing!

• @k (my fave!) “I read from somewhere that it’s called ABC soup because: A-nion, B-otato, C-arrot“
• @Steve Seto – “It’s called “ABC” because it’s popular with American Born Chinese. It’s a name given by native Chinese restaurant workers.“
• @Michelle Chew “Scientifically and logically, the name ‘ABC’ for this soup arises from the vitamins it provides: Vit A – Carrot, Vit B – Potato (Vit B6 in specific), Vit C – Tomato“
• @andy “A – Ang Mo Kio (Tomato), B – Bah Kut (pork ribs), C – Carrot”
• My theory (to add on): “Making this soup is as easy as ABC!“

Print

Chinese ABC Soup Recipe

Cooking this soup is as easy as ABC! This is an easy Chinese soup classic where the potato and carrots are cut to large chunks, and the onions are roughly chopped.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

• 500 grams pork ribs
• 1.3 litres water
• 2 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut to chunks
• 1 large white/yellow onion roughly chopped
• 1 large carrot peeled and cut to chunks
• 2 stalks celery sliced thinly
• 1 tbsp “ikan bilis” optional; for convenience, place inside disposable soup pouch
• 2 slices ginger optional
• 4 cloves old garlic cloves optional; don’t peel or mash them
  
• 1 tomato sliced to 6 wedges; use one more tomato if prefer a more tangy taste
• salt to taste

Directions:

1. Blanch pork ribs in a pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water and set aside.
2. Add blanched pork ribs and all the ingredients except the last two (tomato and salt) into a large soup pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for another 40-50 minutes. Season to taste with salt. For best results, keep warm in thermal pot for at least 2 hours before serving.

 

Noob Cook Tips

1. You can also add sweet corn (cut to huge chunks) which is a common ingredient in ABC soup.
2. To cook this soup in a slow cooker instead, check out this recipe (replacing only the chicken with pork).

 

Ingredients Used: anchovy • carrot • celery • onion • pork • potato