Chinese Yam, Euryale Seed, Dried Chestnut and Fresh Small Fish Soup

Why people make this soup

Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying: “Without dampness, there is no diarrhoea.” In summer and early autumn, hot, humid weather can overwhelm a digestive system that is already on the weaker side, leading to what is called “damp-heat diarrhoea.” But there is another, more chronic pattern Nourilo often sees: people with a constitutionally weak digestive system who have loose, poorly formed stools much of the time — food passes through without being fully absorbed, energy stays low, and the person gradually becomes more depleted. This soup is a gentle, reliable tonic for that second pattern. Chestnuts, Chinese yam, and euryale seeds are three of the most trusted ingredients in Cantonese kitchens for building digestive strength without being heavy or hard to digest. Small sea fish make the broth naturally sweet and add good protein.

Method

1. Soak and rinse the Chinese yam, euryale seeds, and dried chestnuts.
2. Clean and gut the small sea fish. Pan-fry in a little oil until lightly golden on both sides.
3. Place the fried fish in a mesh fish-soup bag to keep the broth clear.
4. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 2.1–2.4 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour, reducing to about 1.2–1.5 L.
6. Serve the clear broth; eat the chestnut and fish as well.

Nourilo’s Tips

• Small sea fish sold fresh at the market — horse-head fish, red snapper fry, rock cod fry — are bony but make an exceptionally sweet and nutritious broth. A mesh soup bag keeps the bones out of the bowl.
• This is a gentle, well-tolerated soup suitable for the whole family, young and old.
• Avoid this soup if you tend toward constipation, as the astringent quality of euryale seeds and chestnuts could make things worse.