Huai Qi Abalone Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Abalone has long been prized in Chinese food culture not only for its delicate, tender flavour but also for its traditional role as a yin-nourishing food. In classical food-therapy thinking, yin deficiency of the liver and kidneys can show up as dry eyes, mild dizziness, a warm sensation in the palms, nighttime dry mouth, or an occasional ringing in the ears. This slow-simmered soup pairs abalone with a small handful of well-chosen herbs — huai shan to support the spleen and stabilise energy, goji berries to gently nourish liver and kidney, and red dates for warmth and flavour — all built on a clean chicken broth base.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• People who feel run-down, have dry or tired eyes, or notice heat sensations in the palms and soles toward evening
• Those recovering from prolonged illness who want a nourishing but not overly rich meal
• Generally suitable for the whole family as an occasional soup
• People with a weak or cold digestion should not have this soup too frequently, as abalone is rich and can burden a delicate stomach
• If you are unwell with a fever or active cold, wait until you have recovered before drinking this

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Abalone (bao yu, Haliotis spp.): The meat is considered sweet and balanced in nature — it is traditionally associated with clearing heat, nourishing yin, and supporting liver and eye function. The shell (shi jue ming) is a classical herb used in eye-health preparations, so even the whole-animal broth is prized.
• Chinese yam (huai shan, Dioscorea opposita): A gentle, starchy root traditionally used to tonify the spleen, support digestion, and help the body absorb nourishment from richer ingredients.
• Goji berries (gou qi zi, Lycium barbarum): One of the most studied traditional berries, associated with supporting liver and kidney function and protecting vision — these pair naturally with abalone in liver-kidney nourishment formulas.
• Red dates (hong zao, Ziziphus jujuba): Used to harmonise the soup and add a mild sweetness; traditionally associated with supporting qi and calming the spirit.
• Ginger (sheng jiang): A small amount balances the richness of abalone and helps the digestive system process the soup comfortably.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Frozen fresh abalone	1 whole	Thaw fully; remove intestinal tip; blanch before use
Organic free-range chicken breast	~225 g	Blanch in boiling water first to remove impurities
Dried Chinese yam (huai shan)	~38 g	Rinse and soak briefly
Goji berries (gou qi zi)	~15 g	Rinse gently
Red dates, pitted	8 pieces	Rinse and pit
Fresh ginger	2 slices	No need to peel

Method

1. Thaw the abalone completely. Remove the intestinal tip, rinse thoroughly, and blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes. Set aside whole — do not slice yet.
2. Blanch the chicken breast in boiling water for 2–3 minutes. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
3. Rinse the dried yam, goji berries, and pitted red dates.
4. Place all ingredients into a pot. Add enough cold water to cover generously — roughly 7–8 bowls.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 3 hours.
6. When the soup is done, lift out the whole abalone carefully, slice it, and return the slices to serve alongside the soup. Eat both the broth and the ingredients.

Bro Niu’s tips

Always cook the abalone whole while it simmers in the soup — if you slice it beforehand, the flesh becomes rubbery no matter how long you cook it. Only slice it after the pot is done. Canned abalone can be used in a pinch, but some nutritional value and flavour are inevitably lost during processing; fresh or frozen is preferred. If you cannot get chicken, a few pieces of lean pork with 2–3 dried scallops (yao zhu) will make the broth equally sweet and satisfying.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): Can I add fish maw (花胶) and switch red dates for honey dates? Bro Niu: Yes, fish maw can be added. Honey dates (mi zao) work fine as a substitute for red dates.

• Q (See): I am 28 weeks pregnant and tend to run hot. Can I drink this soup? Can I replace red dates with something less warming? Bro Niu: This soup is fine during pregnancy. You can replace red dates with 3 figs (wu hua guo) — figs are an excellent source of calcium and are not warming in nature.

• Q (Catsin): If someone cannot eat chicken, will using only meat make the soup less flavourful? Bro Niu: Use lean pork plus two or three dried scallops (yao zhu) and it will be very tasty indeed.

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Published May 21, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.