Pearl Jadeite White Jade Soup is usually made with ingredients such as tender tofu, spinach or other greens (representing the jadeite), and round fish balls or meatballs (representing the pearl), making the soup clear, flavorful and nutritious.

The origin of Pearl Jadeite White Jade Soup is that before Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he lived in poverty and once fainted on the street from hunger. A kind old woman saved him home, with only a small piece of tofu and a handful of spinach, plus leftover rice cooked into a pot of soup for him to eat. Zhu Yuanzhang ate very delicious, asked the old lady what this soup, the old lady jokingly called it "pearl jade white jade soup".