Soups
American Ginseng, Goji and Baby Abalone Soup
Traditionally nourishes the liver, brightens the eyes and generates fluids to relieve thirst
Why people make this soup
A friend gave Bro Niu some American ginseng roots, which he had the herbalist slice thin for tea — rich and full of ginseng flavour. In the traditional view, American ginseng and dendrobium are well regarded for people living with diabetes: they’re said to nourish the stomach-yin, clear stomach heat and generate fluids to relieve thirst. This soup builds on that, traditionally used to nourish the liver, brighten the eyes and ease thirst — a comforting bowl for people who deal with blurry vision, dizziness or aching lower back and knees.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People managing diabetes who experience a dry mouth, excessive thirst, blurry vision, dizziness or aching lower back and knees; the source also says it benefits those with liver conditions.
- For a general family soup, the quantities make 3–4 servings; when used as a targeted dish for one person, it’s one day’s portion taken in 2–3 servings (per Q&A).
- Diabetes needs medical management — this is supportive food, not a treatment.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen / yang shen): Traditionally used to nourish yin, clear heat and generate fluids; added near the end so its qualities aren’t cooked away.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and brightening the eyes.
- Dried baby abalone (bao yu zai): A nourishing seafood; frozen fresh abalone or dried sea whelk can substitute (see tips).
- Lean pork / chicken breast: A clean protein base.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Two slices to balance the seafood.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices | ~11 g (3 qian) | Added at the end |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried baby abalone | ~75 g (2 taels) | Soften, remove gut, blanch |
| Lean pork or chicken breast | ~225 g (6 taels) | Blanch |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices |
Method
- Soak the baby abalone until soft, remove the gut, then blanch. Blanch the lean pork. Soak and rinse the goji berries.
- Put everything except the American ginseng into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours.
- Add the American ginseng slices and cook about 5 more minutes. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is also beneficial for people with liver conditions and can be taken regularly. If you don’t have dried baby abalone, frozen fresh abalone or dried sea whelk (xiang luo) work just as well.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (JC): How do I work out a single portion — how many people is your recipe for? Can I cook extra and refrigerate it, and for how many days? Bro Niu: Most of my soups serve a family of 3–4. But when a soup targets a specific condition, it’s one person’s portion taken in 2–3 servings across the day. You can cook extra and refrigerate it, but strain out the solids before storing so it doesn’t react.
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Q (reader): Can I use fresh baby abalone instead of dried? Bro Niu: Yes, fresh baby abalone can be used instead.
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Q (Mrs Chow): Would adding black-boned (silkie) chicken make it too rich? Is it suitable for young people in autumn? Bro Niu: Silkie chicken nourishes the liver and kidneys and clears deficiency-heat without being drying, so it’s fine.
Published August 18, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
