Some of the best soups are the simplest ones. This Vietnamese-inspired Pork Meatball, Chinese Celery & Seaweed Soup combines tender homemade pork meatballs with the fresh fragrance of Chinese celery and the delicate savory flavor of seaweed.
The key seasoning is fish sauce, which gives the clear broth that unmistakable Southeast Asian savory depth without making the soup heavy.
I especially love the fragrance of Chinese celery in this soup. It has a stronger, more distinctive aroma than regular celery, and just a little adds so much character to the broth.
It’s a comforting everyday soup that’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner, yet has a completely different flavor from a traditional Chinese pork meatball soup.
For another Hong Kong-inspired recipe, try my Hong Kong–Style Curry Fish Balls with Radish and Pork Skin.
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Vietnamese-Style Pork Meatball, Chinese Celery & Seaweed Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
For Soup
Steps
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Prepare the broth and cook pork balls
Add the chicken broth or light pork broth to a pot. Cut a cross top each of pork balls.
Carefully add the pork meatballs to the boiling broth.
Cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, depending on their size, until completely cooked through.
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Prepare the Chinese celery
Finely chop the 唐芹 (Chinese celery) into small pieces. Sprinkle a small pinch over the top of the soup just before serving for a fresh aroma and a little crunch.
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Cook Chinese celery
Cook for about 5 minutes. Don't overcook it—the fresh aroma of the celery is one of the highlights of this soup.
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Add the seaweed
Add the soaked and rinsed seaweed.
Simmer for another 2 minutes.
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Season with fish sauce
Add fish sauce and white pepper.
Taste before adding salt because fish sauce is already salty.
Finish and serve
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Turn off the heat.
Add green onion and some Chinese celery leaves. Add a few drops of sesame oil if desired.
For a brighter Vietnamese-style finish, serve with a small wedge of fresh lime.
Serve hot with steamed rice.
Cooking Tips 烹飪技巧
- Don't overcook the Chinese Celery (唐芹) - Add Chinese celery near the end so it keeps its fresh fragrance and a little texture.
- 🐷 Mix the pork until sticky - This is important for tender, springy pork meatballs.
- 🐟 Fish sauce is the main seasoning - Fish sauce gives the soup its Vietnamese-inspired character. Add gradually and taste as you go.
- 🧂 Taste before adding salt - Because fish sauce and broth can already contain quite a bit of salt, you may not need additional salt.
- 🌊 Rinse the seaweed - Rinse soaked dried seaweed well before adding it to the soup.
- Try lime at the table - A little fresh lime juice adds brightness and balances the savory broth.
