Vietnamese Chayote Squash Soup with Ground Pork (Canh Su Su Nấu Thịt Băm)

Name: Vietnamese Chayote Squash Soup with Ground Pork (Canh Su Su Nấu Thịt Băm)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: asian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or other neutral oil; 2 large cloves garlic (minced); 1 small shallot (minced); 1 1/2 quarts water; 1 1/2 lbs chayote (peel, sliced into matchsticks); 8 oz ground pork or ground meat of choice; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon MSG (optional); Thinly sliced green onions; Cilantro; Fried shallots; Ground black pepper

Published:

December 8, 2023

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Vietnamese Chayote Squash Soup with Ground Pork (Canh Su Su Nấu Thịt Băm) in a bowl

Here is a classic Vietnamese soup that will give you the warm fuzzy feeling of childhood.

Easy to make and perfect for those chilly winter months, this soup features two main ingredients, chayote squash and ground pork.

Its light and flavorful broth pairs beautifully with steamed rice, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or other side dishes, for a complete family-style home cooked meal.

Vietnamese Chayote Squash Soup with Ground Pork (Canh Su Su Nấu Thịt Băm) in a bowl with soup ladle

What You Will Need

Chayote squash: Also known as mirliton, choko, Trái Su Su in Vietnamese, chayote squash is light green and shape like a pear. Chayote is in season in late Fall, typically from October to March, when you can find them readily available at most grocery stores for a great price. Chayote is very similar to zucchini in terms of texture and flavor when cooked, and you can eat both seed and skin when it’s young. While commonly enjoyed in soups, another popular way to prepare it in Asian/Vietnamese cuisine is stir-frying.
Ground pork: Ground pork is the most common protein of choice in Vietnamese cuisine but you can substitute with any ground meat. Two popular alternatives are ground chicken and minced shrimp. You can also omit completely or substitute with tofu for a vegetarian/vegan option.
Shallot and garlic: Shallot and garlic offer an aromatic base to the soup.
Neutral oil: We just need a little bit to stir fry the aromatics to get the aroma going. I’m using vegetable oil.
Seasonings: Fish sauce, salt, sugar and MSG (optional).
Garnishes: Add a pop of color with crispy fried shallots, green onions, cilantro and sprinkle of ground black pepper.

Ground pork in a bowl and whole chayote squash — Ground pork and chayote squash

Thinly shredded chayote squash. I used a julienne peeler.

Our seasoning ingredients: granulated cane sugar, fish sauce, oil, MSG and salt

Whole shallot, garlic, and cilantro on cutting board — Shallot, garlic, and cilantro

Julienned chayote squash, cilantro, minced garlic, sliced shallot and ground pork on cutting board — Julienned chayote squash, cilantro, minced garlic, sliced shallot and ground pork

How to Make it

Step 1: Toast aromatics

In a medium-sized stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and shallots. Sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

Step 2: Add ground pork

Add ground pork and pan fry the ground pork with the aromatics for about 3 minutes on high heat, making sure to break it up into small pieces.

Step 3: Add water

Carefully pour in the water. Be careful of hot oil splatters. Bring the pot to a boil.

Step 4: Add chayote

Once the liquid is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the chayote squash. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until chayote is tender.

Step 5: Season soup

Season soup to taste with sugar, fish sauce, sea salt, and MSG (if using).

Step 6: Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, fried shallots, and a sprinkle of ground black pepper. Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.

Complete the Meal

You can enjoy this soup on its own, but it’s typically served with steamed rice and other protein side dishes. Here are a few options to complete the meal:

Easy Vietnamese Caramelized Ground Pork
Steamed Fish with Scallions and Ginger (Ca Hap Gung Hanh)
Crispy Salt and Pepper Beef
Pan-Fried Tofu and Eggs
Ginger Chicken (Ga Kho Gung)

Get Your Vietnamese Food On!

If you enjoy Vietnamese food, you might enjoy these popular dishes:

Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac)
Beef Noodle Soup (Pho Bo)
Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho Ga)
Sizzling Crispy and Savory Crepes (Banh Xeo)