Soups
Fresh Abalone, Dried Scallop, Goji Berry, and Chicken Breast Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the eyes and support liver health
Why people make this soup
Around the Lunar New Year, families gather for a rich reunion dinner, and a nourishing pot of soup is always at the centre of the table. This combination of fresh baby abalone, dried scallop, goji berries, and free-range chicken has long been prized in Cantonese food-therapy for its deeply savoury flavour and its traditional associations with nourishing the liver and supporting eye health. Using the breast meat and carcass from a free-range chicken keeps the prep simple while delivering a beautiful, golden broth.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and older children; a wonderful all-family celebratory soup
- The soup is tonifying and rich — those who are currently feverish or suffering from acute illness should wait until they recover before drinking tonifying soups
- Moderate portions are advisable for those watching sodium intake, as Jinhua ham is naturally salty
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh baby abalone (xian bao yu): In Chinese food therapy, abalone is considered nourishing to the liver and said to calm internal heat; the shell (bao yu ke) is traditionally regarded as having eye-brightening and liver-calming properties
- Dried scallop / conpoy (yao zhu): Concentrated in umami and traditionally associated with nourishing yin and supporting kidney health; greatly enriches the broth’s depth of flavour
- Goji berries (gou qi zi, Lycium barbarum): One of the most well-known herbs in the Chinese herbal repertoire, traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys and brighten the eyes; modern research has explored their antioxidant content
- Jinhua ham (jin hua huo tui): Adds a rich, complex savouriness to the broth; used in small amounts as a flavour enhancer
- Free-range chicken (zou di ji): Produces a sweeter, more flavourful broth than farm-raised chicken; traditionally considered tonifying to qi and blood
- Carrot (hong luo bo): A mild, slightly sweet vegetable rich in beta-carotene; adds natural sweetness and colour
Ingredients (6–7 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh baby abalone | 8–10 pieces | Cleaned and prepared (see method) |
| Dried scallop / conpoy | 4 pieces | Soaked until soft |
| Jinhua ham | 1 small piece | Cut into thick slices |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Goji berries | 1 tablespoon | Rinsed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Free-range chicken breast + carcass | 1 set | Chopped into pieces, blanched |
| Water | 12 bowls | To yield ~6–7 bowls |
Method
- Clean and prepare the baby abalone: scrub the shells and remove the innards; rinse well.
- Soak the dried scallops in water until soft, about 30 minutes; reserve the soaking water if clean.
- Cut the Jinhua ham into thick slices.
- Rinse the goji berries; peel and chunk the carrot.
- Blanch the chicken pieces, baby abalone, and Jinhua ham together in boiling water for a few minutes; drain and rinse.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 12 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 6–7 bowls.
- Serve the soup together with the cooked ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
The abalone shell is where some of the eye-nourishing properties are said to reside. Give it a good scrub, place it in a soup bag, add it to the pot, and simply remove the bag before serving. The whole pot — meat, abalone, and broth — can be enjoyed together.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Bro Niu, can I use canned abalone for this soup? Bro Niu: Use the kind packed in plain water — those are better for soup. That said, fresh baby abalone are available at Chinese or Asian grocers and really give the best flavour for this dish.
Published January 21, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
