Kudzu Root, Adzuki Bean, Coix Seed and Dace Fish Soup

Why people make this soup

Stress, late nights, and poor diet have a way of showing up on the skin — especially for young adults who find acne appearing not just on the face but across the chest and back as well. From a traditional Chinese food-therapy perspective, this pattern is often linked to an accumulation of internal heat and dampness, and the approach is to help the body clear it through nourishing, flavourful food rather than restriction alone.

This soup — kudzu root with adzuki beans, coix seeds, and dace fish — turns out a beautiful milky broth that is deeply savoury. Beyond its reputation for supporting skin clarity, Nourilo notes it has traditionally been used for general body aches, muscle tension in the shoulders and neck, and puffiness around the eyes.