Barley, Mung Bean and Lily Bulb Sweet Soup

Why people make this sweet soup

Hot, sticky summer days call for something genuinely refreshing — and in traditional Cantonese food therapy, that usually means a cooling sweet soup rather than a cold drink. Bro Niu recommends this combination of Job’s tears (a grain similar to barley), mung beans, and dried lily bulb as a go-to remedy for the heat and humidity of midsummer. The result is a light, clear, mildly sweet soup that cools without shocking the body.

What makes this version a little more thoughtful than a simple mung bean soup is the addition of lily bulb, which traditional food therapy associates with soothing the heart and easing restlessness, and a small piece of dried tangerine peel, which helps with digestion and prevents the cooling effect from becoming too harsh. It is a well-balanced bowl — refreshing and calming at the same time.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family — adults and children — during hot or humid weather
• Particularly helpful for those experiencing heat-related restlessness, mild skin breakouts (heat rash), or acne in summer
• Those with a cold constitution (feeling cold easily, loose stools) should use roasted barley (shu yi mi) instead of raw barley, and may want to reduce the mung beans slightly
• Pregnant women in cold climates may wish to consult this recipe with their healthcare provider before use; for pregnant women specifically seeking a warming dampness-clearing soup, Bro Niu has suggested other options

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Job’s tears / barley (yi mi): In traditional food therapy, considered to drain dampness from the body, strengthen the spleen, and support healthy digestion; also associated with easing leg cramping from damp-bi conditions
• Mung beans (lu dou): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, relieving thirst, and supporting detoxification; notably cooling in nature
• Dried lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to nourish yin, ease dry coughs, and calm the heart and mind — reduces the overall harshness of the cooling herbs
• Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Warms the middle, aids digestion, and prevents the soup from becoming overly cold for the stomach

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Job’s tears (raw)	40 g	Use roasted (shu) if you have a cold constitution
Mung beans	80 g	Soak 2 hours before cooking
Dried lily bulb	40 g	Soak briefly before use
Dried tangerine peel	1 piece
Rock sugar	to taste	Add at the end

Method

1. Soak all ingredients together in water for about 2 hours before cooking; discard the soaking water (soaking helps remove the gas-producing compounds from the beans).
2. Add the soaked ingredients to a pot with 7 bowls of water (approximately 1.4 litres).
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 hour.
4. Stir in rock sugar and cook until dissolved. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Bro Niu’s tips

This sweet soup is gentle and suitable for everyone from children to the elderly. It is particularly helpful for heat-related skin rashes in children and summer acne. Always discard the soaking water from the beans — soaking removes the compounds that cause gas and bloating after eating, without losing any nutritional value. If you prefer to make this into a savoury soup, you can add lean pork and omit the rock sugar.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): Can you change the mung beans to red beans if worried about it being too cooling? Bro Niu: You can change the mung beans to adzuki beans (chi xiao dou). Although adzuki beans are not as tasty as red beans, their dampness-draining effect is stronger.

• Q (Ivy Liu): Is this made with raw barley? Bro Niu: Generally raw barley is used, but if you have a cold constitution, you can use roasted barley instead.

• Q (Can): Can I make this into a soup with lean pork or pork bones instead? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add lean pork to make it a savoury soup.

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Published July 3, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.