Hu Guo Cai
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Hu Guo Cai
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Hu Guo Cai (Simplified Chinese: 护国菜; Traditional Chinese: 護國菜; Pinyin: Hùguó cài; literally "protect-the-country dish") is a Chaoshan (Chaozhou) vegetable soup in which sweet potato leaves or similar tender greens are cooked and often blended into a smooth, vivid green puree or thick soup. It is named among Eastern Guangdong / Hakka–Chaoshan famous dishes on Guangdong Food. The patriotic name is traditional folklore rather than a cooking-method term[1].
Characteristics
Color is bright green; texture ranges from clear leaf soup to silky puree depending on restaurant style. Flavor is light, vegetal, and slightly sweet from the leaves—not chili-hot. Often served as a banquet vegetable course.
Ingredients (overview)
Sweet potato leaves (or substitutes such as other tender greens), stock or water, optional thickening starch, seasoning salt/sugar, sometimes a little oil or dried seafood accent in non-vegetarian versions.
History and culture
Chaoshan and eastern Guangdong classic listed in plain text as Hu Guo Cai on Guangdong Food. Folklore links the name to wartime or loyalist stories; modern diners treat it as a signature green soup of Teochew banquet tables, complementary to richer dishes such as Chaoshan Beef Hot Pot.
Serving and variations
Soup course or shared vegetable dish. See Guangdong Food and Chaoshan Beef Hot Pot.