Burdock Root, Adzuki Bean, and Mung Bean Soup

Why people make this soup

Mumps — known in Cantonese as “cha sai” (痄腮) — peaks in winter and spring. The classic presentation is sudden fever and tender swelling of the parotid glands at the sides of the jaw. Most children recover without complication, but traditional food therapy has long offered supportive measures to keep the body comfortable and help the immune system cope.

This soup has no herbal bitterness — burdock root, adzuki beans, and mung beans are ordinary, accessible foods that make a pleasant, lightly sweet broth. The honey dates (mi zao) keep it palatable for children. The broth can also be used as a base for porridge, which is gentler on the stomach for a child who is unwell.