Soups
Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily and Coral Grass Sweet Soup
traditionally associated with nourishing the skin, calming the mind, and supporting the body's natural cleansing functions
Why people make this sweet soup
Autumn in Hong Kong brings dry air, and the body tends to feel it — cracked lips, dull or tight skin, a restless mind that won’t settle at bedtime. Bro Niu put this sweet soup together after noticing a bag of coral grass sitting in his kitchen waiting to be used. Coral grass, a type of sea algae sometimes called the “sea bird’s nest,” is naturally rich in plant-based gelatinous compounds. Combined with fresh lotus seeds — which have a gentle calming effect on the heart — and fresh lily bulb, the result is a silky, mildly sweet soup that is as pleasant to eat as it is nourishing. It has no added estrogen-containing ingredients, so it is generally considered safe for a wide range of people.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with dry, dull, or aging skin; those who feel irritable or restless; people with mild sleep disturbances, hair that is dry and brittle, or minds that feel overheated.
- Safe for pregnant women (17 weeks and beyond, as confirmed in Q&A) and older adults.
- Those with loose stools or weak digestion should eat smaller amounts, as coral grass is cooling and gelatinous in nature.
- People with loose or watery stools are advised to eat less.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh lotus seeds with pith (xian lian zi, pith removed before eating for mildness): Traditionally considered to calm the heart, settle the mind, and support the spleen. Removing the green pith reduces bitterness; if a stronger calming effect is desired, the pith can be left in.
- Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): A key autumn ingredient in traditional food therapy; associated with moistening the lungs and calming the nerves. Dried lily bulb works equally well if fresh is unavailable — use about 1 liang (38 g) of the dried form.
- Coral grass (shan hu cao): A sea algae — not related to actual coral — that is naturally high in gelatinous polysaccharides. In traditional food therapy it is described as supporting the skin and helping the body clear waste from the blood. It contains no estrogen. Must be soaked for at least half a day before cooking; soaking overnight works best. A few drops of lemon juice during soaking helps remove any residual ocean smell.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): Adds gentle sweetness and is considered easier on the digestive system than refined sugar.
Ingredients (3–4 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lotus seeds, pith removed | 75 g (2 liang) | Use dried if fresh unavailable: ~38 g (1 liang) |
| Fresh lily bulb | 75 g (2 liang) | Use dried if fresh unavailable: ~38 g (1 liang) |
| Coral grass (dried, soaked) | ~19 g (5 qian) dry weight | Soak at least 8 hours or overnight; rinse and chop |
| Rock sugar | to taste | Add at the end |
Method
- The evening before: place dried coral grass in a large bowl of cold water and soak for at least 8 hours (overnight is ideal). This rehydrates it fully and softens the texture. Add a few drops of lemon juice to remove any sea smell. Drain, rinse well, and chop into smaller pieces.
- Remove the green pith from the lotus seeds. Rinse the fresh lily bulb.
- Place the lotus seeds, lily bulb, and chopped coral grass into a pot with 5–6 bowls (about 1–1.2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Bro Niu’s tips
Do not skip the overnight soaking — coral grass that has not fully rehydrated will remain tough and will not release its gelatinous texture properly. If fresh lotus seeds or fresh lily bulb are not available, dried versions work well at roughly half the weight. This sweet soup is suitable for the whole family. If you or a family member have loose stools, eat smaller portions. If you find the smell of the coral grass too strong, add a little more lemon juice during the soak and rinse thoroughly.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Kiki, 17 weeks pregnant): Can I use dried lotus seeds and lily? And is it safe during pregnancy? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use dried varieties. This sweet soup is safe during pregnancy. Dried lips and mouth around the lip area suggest yin deficiency — this soup should help. You can also try a nourishing soup with sha shen, yu zhu, mai dong, snow fungus, lily, and figs with pork ribs, 2 servings a week.
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Q (reader): Does coral grass expire? Bro Niu: Like any dried seafood ingredient, it should not be kept too long. If there is no mould, no odd smell, and no insects, it should be fine to use. Going forward, buy only what you need in the near term.
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Q (reader): Does coral grass need to be cooked until it completely dissolves? Bro Niu: No need to cook it until dissolved. Soaking overnight softens it, and 30 minutes of cooking is sufficient. The main benefit comes from its gelatinous polysaccharides.
Published October 2, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
