Soups
Agaricus Mushroom, Chayote, and Pork Rib Soup
traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys, strengthen immunity, and support recovery after illness or surgery
Why people make this soup
Agaricus blazei mushroom (ji song rong) occupies a special place among medicinal mushrooms. While most people in the West know shiitake or reishi, Agaricus blazei is less familiar but highly valued in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbalism for its dense, earthy flavour and its association with immune enhancement and liver protection. Bro Niu describes it as a precious food ingredient that, when eaten regularly, helps the body build its defences — supporting the immune system’s ability to resist external pathogens and helping maintain healthy liver and kidney function.
Paired with chayote — a mild, versatile vegetable that Bro Niu calls “the most nutritionally complete of all gourds” — and with pork ribs for depth and richness, this is a straightforward everyday soup that suits the whole family and is particularly valuable for those who have been through illness, surgery, or sustained stress.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family as a general protective and nourishing soup
- Particularly valuable for those who are debilitated after surgery, illness, or chemotherapy
- Cancer patients may use this soup as a supportive dietary complement — vegetarians can substitute pork ribs with peanuts, chestnuts, or red kidney beans
- Pregnant women with subchorionic bleeding (early pregnancy complication) can drink this soup (confirmed by Bro Niu)
- Those sensitive to chayote should substitute with winter melon or hairy gourd (jie gua)
- Not specifically contraindicated for most people; generally mild
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Agaricus blazei mushroom (ji song rong): A prized medicinal mushroom traditionally associated with immune enhancement, liver and kidney protection, and resistance to external pathogens; considered a general-purpose tonic that can be used as regular family fare
- Chayote (he zhang gua / Sechium edule): Bro Niu considers chayote one of the most nutritionally balanced of all gourds; mild, gentle on the digestion, supports bowel regularity, and adds a clean, slightly sweet flavour to the soup — also particularly associated with supporting healthy qi
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish liver blood and kidney yin; their natural sweetness balances the earthiness of the mushroom
- Pork spare ribs (pai gu): Provide a rich, collagen-bearing base for the broth; neutral and nourishing
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agaricus blazei mushroom (dried) | 5 qian (~18 g) | Soak and rinse |
| Goji berries | 3 qian (~11 g) | Soak and rinse |
| Chayote | 1 whole | Peel, wash, and cut into chunks |
| Pork spare ribs | ~450 g (~12 liang) | Blanch in boiling water first |
| Water | 7 bowls (~1.75 L) |
Method
- Soak and rinse the Agaricus mushroom and goji berries.
- Peel the chayote, wash, and cut into chunks.
- Blanch the pork ribs in boiling water for 2–3 minutes; drain and rinse.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 7 bowls of water. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
- Serve warm. Drink the broth and eat all the ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
- This soup is naturally sweet and suitable for all ages — a reliable household staple.
- Chayote is among the most nutritionally complete of the gourd vegetables, making this soup especially suitable for those who are debilitated, post-surgery, or post-illness.
- Vegetarian version: replace pork ribs with peanuts, chestnuts, or red kidney beans. Cancer patients following a plant-based diet can use this substitution freely.
- If anyone is sensitive to chayote, winter melon or hairy gourd (jie gua) are good substitutes.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Jenny): My mother has stage 4 lung cancer. She is very weak — no energy in her voice or limbs. She has just had a drain inserted. Can she drink Codonopsis and Astragalus root soup? Bro Niu: Astragalus (bei qi) does help wounds heal, but while your mother is on Western medications, it may be simpler and safer to use light fish soups — such as stone carp (shi chong yu) or sea bass. You can pair them with winter melon, hairy gourd, figs, and lean pork. Keep it gentle and easy to digest.
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Q (婷): My friend has end-stage colon cancer and has just had the tumour removed, but it is still spreading. Can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, she can drink this soup. Regularly using white-backed black wood ear fungus and figs in her soups is also beneficial. Spirulina and sea algae support intestinal cancer patients as well.
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Q (Julia): My 90-year-old mother cannot tolerate chayote — she always feels nauseous and has stomach pain after eating it. What can I substitute? Bro Niu: If she is sensitive to chayote, please stop using it. Substitute with hairy gourd (jie gua) — it supports healthy qi and is very gentle.
Published November 24, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
