Soups
Tomato, Tofu, Wood Ear Mushroom and Egg Drop Soup
A nourishing everyday soup traditionally associated with anti-cancer dietary support
Why people make this soup
Research into diet and cancer consistently points toward fresh vegetables, plant proteins, and an overall shift away from high-fat, high-sugar foods. Bro Niu notes that cancer cells thrive on glucose and certain fats, which is why traditional Chinese food therapy for cancer support focuses on alkaline-leaning, plant-rich meals. This simple soup — bright red tomatoes, silken tofu, chewy wood ear mushrooms, and a swirl of egg — is about as straightforward as daily home cooking gets, yet it packs real nutritional value. It’s the kind of dish you can make three times a week without effort, and that the whole family can enjoy together.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for everyone as a wholesome everyday soup; particularly recommended as a regular dish for those on a cancer-supportive diet
- Especially associated in Cantonese tradition with supporting those affected by cervical cancer and prostate cancer
- People managing their protein intake (e.g. certain kidney conditions) should consider portion size
- This is a general wellness recipe and should not replace oncology treatment
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Tomatoes (fan qie): Rich in lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant particularly well-studied for its association with prostate and cervical cancer prevention; cooking in oil increases lycopene bioavailability
- Tofu (dou fu): A plant-based protein source; soy isoflavones have been studied for potential hormonal-balance effects — tofu is generally considered acceptable in moderation for most cancer types, but speak to your oncologist for individual guidance
- Wood ear mushrooms (hei mu er): Traditionally considered to nourish the blood, move circulation, and lower cholesterol; modern research suggests polysaccharides in wood ear fungi may support immune function
- Egg: Easily digestible protein; supports tissue repair
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 2 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Firm tofu | 1 block (~350 g) | Cut into cubes |
| Dried wood ear mushrooms | 2 pieces | Soak until soft, remove stems, shred finely |
| Minced/ground pork | 113 g (3 liang) | |
| Egg | 1 | Lightly beaten |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1.25 L) | |
| Seasoning | to taste | Salt, soy sauce, or white pepper |
Method
- Peel the tomatoes (score an X on the bottom, blanch briefly in boiling water, then peel); cut into chunks.
- Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in warm water until softened, about 20 minutes. Remove the tough stems and shred finely.
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
- Beat the egg and set aside.
- Bring 5 bowls of water to a rolling boil. Add the tomatoes, tofu, shredded wood ear mushrooms, and minced pork.
- Boil vigorously for 15 minutes, stirring the minced pork to break up any clumps.
- Slowly pour the beaten egg into the simmering soup in a thin stream, stirring gently to create egg ribbons.
- Bring back to a boil, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is particularly associated with cervical cancer and prostate cancer dietary support. Men and women alike, young and old, can benefit from making this a regular feature in the weekly meal rotation. Keep the ingredients simple and fresh — this is a dish where quality tomatoes and good-quality tofu really shine.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (nicole): My 70-year-old patient has cervical cancer. What soups are helpful? Bro Niu: If she is undergoing chemotherapy, a “four reds” soup (si hong tang) can help support blood production: red beans, red-skin peanuts, goji berries, and red dates, cooked together as a simple soup — drink the broth and eat the ingredients. Avoid hormone-raised poultry and farm fish, keep meat portions small, minimize fatty and sweet foods.
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Q (Kathy): I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer; what food therapy can I start now? Bro Niu: You can try a turmeric supplement (one capsule in the morning) and a spirulina/algae supplement (one capsule in the evening) to complement your treatment. Avoid “trigger foods” like bamboo shoots, goose meat, non-scaled fish, prawns and crab; also avoid high-fat, high-sugar, and dairy foods. A soup with himematsutake mushroom (ji song rong), goji berries, and asparagus in lean pork broth can also be helpful — do eat some of the ingredients.
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Q (Ching ho): My husband has tongue cancer and his mouth bleeds frequently; what should he eat? Bro Niu: For the bleeding, try a drink with lophatherum herb (dan zhu ye, 3 qian), licorice root (gan cao, 2 qian), and 3 lotus root nodes in 4 bowls of water for 30 minutes. For the cold hands and feet (once bleeding is controlled), use astragalus (bei qi, 3 qian), cinnamon twig (gui zhi, 2 qian), fresh ginger (3 slices), and red dates (4 pieces) to make a lean pork soup; take 3 doses. Please see a doctor for the bleeding.
Published October 21, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
