1. Pork Leg Soup with Lotus Seeds
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of pork leg
- 5 grams of shiitake mushrooms
- 100 grams of lotus seeds
- 100 grams of carrots
- Spring onions, cilantro
- Seasonings: Sugar, salt, seasoning powder, fish sauce
Instructions:
- Step 1: Prepare the pork leg:
- After purchasing the pork leg, clean it thoroughly and scrape off any dirt. Blanch the pork leg by placing it in a pot of boiling water and cooking until the meat tightens. Remove the pork leg and rinse it under cold water.
- Add 1 liter of water to a pot, then add the cleaned pork leg. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Prepare the lotus seeds, mushrooms, carrots, and spring onions:
- Soak the lotus seeds and mushrooms in cold water for 1-2 hours. Once they are rehydrated, drain them.
- Place the lotus seeds in a pot with 400ml of water and simmer for 20 minutes. Clean the mushrooms and squeeze out excess water. Slice the carrots into thin rounds. Chop the spring onions finely to complete step 2.
- Step 3: Cook the pork leg soup with lotus seeds:
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder to the pork leg pot to enhance the flavor. Add the carrots and simmer together with the pork leg. Once the pork leg becomes tender, add the mushrooms and lotus seeds.
- Season the soup with 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder. Continue simmering until the pork leg and vegetables are fully cooked. Finish by adding the spring onions and serve. You can garnish with a few sprigs of cilantro for extra flavor.
- Final result: The pork leg soup with lotus seeds is a savory and nutritious dish. To enjoy its full flavor, it’s best served hot. The tender, juicy pork leg pairs perfectly with the lotus seeds, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots, enhancing its rich flavor. The broth is hearty, with the savory taste of pork leg and the sweetness from the vegetables. This dish is not only delicious but also a great health booster!

2. Pork Leg Soup with Pumpkin
Ingredients:
- 400 grams of pork leg
- 300 grams of pumpkin
- Fresh basil, shallots
- Seasonings: seasoning powder, salt, cooking oil
Instructions:
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients:
- Clean the pork leg, then put it in a pot and briefly boil it. Discard the water to eliminate any odor, making the soup taste fresher.
- Peel the pumpkin, wash it, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the pumpkin with a pinch of seasoning powder for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse and enhance the taste.
- Wash the basil, chop it finely, and peel and slice the shallots thinly.
- Step 2: Simmer the pork leg bones:
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté the shallots until fragrant. Add the pork leg bones and stir to coat with the oil, then season with a little salt and seasoning powder.
- Add water to cover the bones (the amount of water depends on how much broth you want, but it's better to add a bit more since some of it will evaporate during cooking). Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the bones are tender.
- Step 3: Add the pumpkin to cook: Once the pork leg bones are tender, add the marinated pumpkin and simmer for about 15 minutes until the pumpkin is fully cooked. Turn off the heat and stir in the basil.
- Final result: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy with rice or noodles. In just a few simple steps, you’ve made a delicious and flavorful pork leg soup with pumpkin. Enjoy!

3. Pork Leg Soup with Lotus Root
Ingredients:
- Lotus root: 300 grams
- Pork leg: 400 grams
- Perilla leaves
- Spring onions
- Black pepper
- Seasonings: seasoning powder, fish sauce, MSG, cooking oil, salt, sugar...
Instructions:
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients:
- Peel the lotus root and slice it into 7mm thick pieces or slightly thicker. Be careful not to cut them too thin to avoid breaking during cooking. Soak the lotus root in a saltwater solution to remove the sap.
- Clean the pork leg, then briefly blanch it in boiling water.
- Wash the perilla leaves and spring onions, then chop them finely.
- Step 2: Cook the pork leg soup:
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté the pork leg. Add fish sauce, seasoning powder, and MSG, stirring well for the pork leg to absorb the flavors. Add 1 liter of water, then the lotus root and seasonings, including ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the pork leg becomes tender. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Since the soup will have a lot of fat, you can skim off excess fat and scum before serving. Add spring onions and perilla leaves, and the soup is ready to serve.
- Step 3: Serve and enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy it hot. It pairs wonderfully with chili fish sauce for an extra kick!

4. Pork Leg Soup with Lotus Root, Lotus Seeds, and Dried Apples
Ingredients:
- Lotus root: 500 grams
- Pork leg: 1 piece
- Carrot: 1 piece
- Dry lotus seeds: 100 grams
- Dried apples: 15 pieces
- Cilantro
- Seasonings: seasoning powder, sugar, black pepper...
Instructions:
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients:
- Peel the lotus root, slice it into rounds, and soak it in saltwater or lemon water to prevent browning and remove sap.
- Clean the pork leg and blanch it briefly in boiling water.
- Carrot: trim and slice into 1cm thick rounds.
- Rinse the lotus seeds.
- Rinse the dried apples.
- Clean the cilantro, remove roots, wash, and chop finely.
- Step 2: Cooking the soup:
- Boil the lotus seeds until tender, then set aside.
- Heat a little oil in a pot, add the pork leg and stir-fry with seasonings. Add water to the pot and simmer the pork leg. Once it begins to soften, add the lotus root, followed by the carrots. Finally, add the dried apples. Let everything simmer together for 10 minutes until tender. Then add the boiled lotus seeds, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Once the soup is ready, season to taste and add cilantro before turning off the heat.
- Step 3: Serve and enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with rice or enjoy it on its own. This soup, with its sweet, savory, and nourishing ingredients, will surely delight your taste buds!

5. Pork Leg Braised with Sour Mustard Greens
Pork leg and sour mustard greens come together in a delightful combination, creating a unique dish that is both flavorful and refreshing. If your family is craving something sour to change up the taste, think of braised pork leg with sour mustard greens. This dish is light, satisfying, and sure to lift your spirits.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of pork leg
- 300 grams of sour mustard greens
- 1 piece of fresh ginger
- 5 shallots
- Herbs: Culantro, rice paddy herb, cinnamon, chili
- Seasonings: Salt, sugar, MSG, pepper, seasoning powder, fish sauce
Instructions:
- Step 1: Clean the pork leg by scraping off any hair, rinsing it well, and patting it dry. Cut the pork leg into pieces suitable for eating, and briefly blanch them in boiling water to remove any unpleasant odors.
- Step 2: Cut the sour mustard greens into short pieces, wash them, and drain. Clean the herbs and chop them. Peel and finely chop the shallots. Peel and finely chop the ginger. Slice the chili peppers.
- Step 3: Heat oil in a pot and sauté the shallots and ginger until fragrant. Add the pork leg and stir-fry on high heat. Season with 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of MSG. Stir well to absorb the seasonings, then add enough water to cover the meat. Cover and simmer the pork leg.
- Step 4: Simmer the pork leg for about 45 minutes until tender. Once cooked, remove the scum and add the sour mustard greens. Adjust the seasoning to taste, sprinkle the herbs on top, and turn off the heat. The soup will have a pleasant, mildly sour broth. Serve the soup with fish sauce and chili for an extra zing, paired with hot rice. This dish is perfect for cold, rainy days, warming you up and making the rice go down smoothly.


6. Braised Pork Leg with Black Beans
Braised pork leg with black beans is a favorite for many due to its rich, savory taste and nutritious qualities. The dish is tender with a slight chewy texture, making each bite delightful. Served hot, this dish pairs perfectly with a spicy fish sauce dip and will make you go back for more.
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of pork leg
- 100 grams of black beans
- Spring onions, cilantro, chili
- Seasonings: Seasoning powder, salt, sugar, fish sauce, MSG, pepper
Instructions:
- Step 1: Clean the pork leg by scraping off any hair and dirt from the hooves. Rub salt and lemon on the pork leg and rinse thoroughly with water. Cut the pork leg into manageable pieces. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the pork leg, then rinse it with cold water to remove any remaining odor and dirt.
- Step 2: Wash the black beans and soak them for a few hours. After draining the beans, add them to a pot with 1.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook for about 15 minutes. Next, add the pork leg and simmer together. Season with 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder.
- Step 3: Continue simmering on low heat for about an hour, skimming off any scum to keep the broth clear. Once the pork leg becomes tender, adjust the seasoning to taste and turn off the heat.
- Step 4: Serve the braised pork leg with black beans in a bowl, sprinkling freshly ground pepper and chopped spring onions and cilantro on top. Enjoy this refreshing and nutritious dish, perfect for hot summer days.


7. Braised Pork Leg with Peanuts
Peanuts are a common ingredient in braised dishes, adding a rich, nutty flavor and a subtle sweetness. This dish is high in protein and offers numerous health benefits.
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of pork leg
- 200 grams of peanuts
- Seasonings: Fish sauce, salt, seasoning powder, MSG, sugar
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Step 1: Clean the pork leg by scraping off any remaining hair. Rub the pork leg with salt, making sure to get into the folds around the hooves. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and blanch the pork leg for about 3 minutes. Remove and rinse it well. Soak the peanuts in water for about 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the pork leg and stir-fry for a few minutes. Season with 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir well to coat the pork leg with the spices, then add enough water to cover the pork. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface to keep the broth clear.
- Step 3: Add the soaked peanuts to the pot and continue to simmer with the pork leg. Once the pork is tender and the peanuts are soft, adjust the seasoning to taste and turn off the heat.
Besides enjoying delicious pork leg soups, you should also try other delicious pork leg dishes to add variety to your family meals!


8. Sour Bamboo Shoot Soup with Pork Leg
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of pork leg
- 500 grams of sour bamboo shoots
- 1.5 liters of water
- 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder
- 1/2 tablespoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of MSG
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
Instructions:
- Preparing the bamboo shoots and pork leg for the soup:
- Rinse the sour bamboo shoots thoroughly and quickly blanch them in boiling water, then rinse them again with clean water. Let them drain in a colander.
- Soak the pork leg in salt water, rinse it, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Rinse the green onions, chop them, and remove the roots.
- Blanch the pork leg in boiling water for a few minutes to remove any impurities.
- Cooking the Sour Bamboo Shoot Soup with Pork Leg:
- Bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil in a pot, then add the pork leg and simmer for about 1 hour. Check the tenderness of the meat before adding the bamboo shoots.
- Add the prepped bamboo shoots to the pot. Season with 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 tablespoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
- Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle chopped green onions and ground pepper on top. Serve the soup with a side of chili fish sauce for extra flavor.

9. Braised Pork Leg with Vegetables
Ingredients: Serves 2
- 1 kg of pork leg
- 1 carrot
- 2 potatoes
- 2 beets
- 4 shallots, chopped
- 2 stalks of green onions
- 2 sprigs of cilantro
- 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Seasoning: a pinch of sugar, salt, seasoning powder, MSG, pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the ingredients:
- To remove the pork’s odor and ensure a clear broth, chop the pork leg into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and pour in boiling water to blanch the meat for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and drain.
- Peel and trim the ends of the carrot, beet, and potatoes. Wash them well and cut them into small pieces once they are dried.
- Rinse the green onions and cilantro, chop them into small pieces for garnish later.
- Season the pork leg:
- Season the pork leg with 4 chopped shallots, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and optionally 1/2 teaspoon of MSG. Mix well and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Braise the pork leg:
- Heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the marinated pork leg and stir until the meat browns. Add 2-2.5 liters of water, cover the pot, and simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes until the pork is tender.
- During the braising, skim off any foam that forms on the surface to keep the broth clear. Add more water if necessary.
- Cook the soup:
- Once the pork is tender, add the carrots and beets to the pot first, as they take longer to cook. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Once the carrots and beets are soft, add the potatoes and cook for another 10 minutes. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Finally, add the chopped green onions, cilantro, and a pinch of pepper. Stir gently, then turn off the heat.
- Serving: A spoonful of this hearty soup will bring out the delicious, sweet flavors from the pork and vegetables, perfectly balanced. Serve it with a side of spicy fish sauce for an extra kick!


10. Braised Pork Leg with Papaya
Ingredients: Serves 3
- 1 green papaya
- 10 grams of green onions
- 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder
- 500 grams of pork leg
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the papaya:
- To prepare the green papaya, make several cuts on its skin with a knife to release the white sap, then rinse it thoroughly.
- Peel the papaya, remove the seeds, and cut it into bite-sized cubes. Soak the papaya in a saltwater solution for about 15 minutes to remove excess sap.
- Chop the green onions: Rinse the green onions, then chop them finely.
- Prepare the pork leg:
- You can buy pre-cut pork leg from the store or butcher. Rub the pork with a little salt and rinse it thoroughly, then let it drain.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the pork leg and blanch it for 5-7 minutes to tighten the meat and reduce any unpleasant odor.
- Cook the soup: Simmer the pork leg for 30 minutes on low heat, then add the papaya and continue cooking until the papaya is tender. Season with seasoning powder and salt to taste, then sprinkle with chopped green onions and a little pepper before serving.
- Serving: This dish has a sweet, savory broth with soft, chewy papaya and tender, flavorful pork. It's a delicious and comforting dish!

