Soups
Black Bean, Barley & Partridge Soup
Traditionally associated with nourishing the five organs and supporting a stronger constitution
Why people make this soup
Children who eat widely but still seem thin or slow to grow often have a sluggish digestive system that simply is not absorbing nutrients efficiently. Adults recovering from illness or those who notice they sweat without exertion face a similar underlying picture in traditional Chinese food-therapy thinking: the organs need gentle, steady nourishment rather than aggressive tonics. This broth has been a trusted staple in Cantonese kitchens for exactly that purpose — a slow simmer that coaxes deep nourishment from humble ingredients without overwhelming a sensitive stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for children and adults with a weak or easily tired constitution
- Helpful for those who experience spontaneous or night sweats from deficiency
- Suitable for the whole family across all four seasons
- Caution: breastfeeding mothers should omit the barley (mai mi), as it is traditionally associated with reducing milk supply; substitute with floating wheat (fu xiao mai, 15 g) for similar benefits
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green-kernel black beans (qing ren hei dou): In traditional thinking, the green interior signals an affinity with the liver, while the black outer skin is associated with the kidneys — so this variety is said to nourish both organ systems together. It is considered more therapeutically active than yellow-kernel black beans.
- Barley / Job’s tears (mai mi): Traditionally viewed as gently strengthening to the spleen and stomach, supporting digestive absorption. Note that it is also associated with reducing breast milk, so nursing mothers should avoid it.
- Partridge (zhe gu): A lean, mild-flavoured game bird prized in Cantonese food therapy for its reputed ability to nourish the five zang organs. Quail is an accepted substitute with similar qualities; outside Asia, silkie chicken or pork shank work well too.
- Red dates (hong zao): A gentle qi tonic that adds sweetness and is said to support the spleen and stomach. Pitting them before cooking reduces internal warmth.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Adds gentle warming energy, helps the stomach receive the soup, and balances any slight coolness from the other ingredients.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green-kernel black beans (qing ren hei dou) | 37 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse before use |
| Pearl barley / Job’s tears (mai mi) | 37 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse before use; omit for nursing mothers |
| Red dates, pitted (hong zao) | 6 pieces | Remove stones |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | 2 slices | |
| Partridge (zhe gu) | 1 whole bird, dressed | Blanch first; sub quail, silkie chicken, or pork shank if unavailable |
| Water | 8 bowls (approx. 2 litres) | Reduces to 4 bowls |
Method
- Clean and dress the partridge; blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Pit the red dates. Soak and rinse the black beans and barley until the water runs clear.
- Place all ingredients together in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook uncovered for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 4 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve warm; drink the broth and eat some of the solids.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup leans neither cooling nor warming — it is well-balanced and safe for daily use by all family members, in any season. If the main goal is stopping night sweats, replace the barley with floating wheat (fu xiao mai, about 15 g); that swap is more targeted for perspiration from deficiency. Partridge can be hard to find outside Asia; it is worth contacting a Chinese or Asian grocer in advance as it may be available to order. Quail is the closest substitute, or you can use silkie chicken or a lean pork shank — the nourishing spirit of the soup remains intact.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Cat): My two-year-old sweats heavily around the head and neck during sleep. Does that count as deficiency sweating, and is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Sweating at night is considered night sweating in traditional thinking. You can use this soup — and if you swap the barley for floating wheat (fu xiao mai, about 15 g), the effect on excessive sweating will be even better.
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Q (芊芊): If I cannot find partridge, can I use quail instead? Will the effect be similar? Bro Niu: Yes, quail is a fine substitute and has the same general quality of nourishing the five organs.
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Q (June, reader overseas): I am abroad and cannot find partridge or quail. Can I use silkie chicken or pork shank instead? Bro Niu: Yes, either silkie chicken or pork shank works well as a substitute.
Published February 22, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
