Soups
Coconut, Fish Maw and Chicken Feet Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the blood, boost qi and strengthen the body
Why people make this soup
In Chinese tradition, elders have always placed great importance on nourishing women after childbirth. A well-managed confinement period (zuo yue zi) can genuinely shift a woman’s constitution for the better — many who feel below-par beforehand come through it stronger, thanks to careful, quality nourishment. This double-boiled coconut, fish maw and chicken feet soup is a rich, restoring pot, traditionally taken to nourish the blood, support recovery and strengthen the body.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits new mothers and others recovering, as long as appetite is good; also favored by those who care about their skin
- Suits people who often feel dry — dry skin, dry mouth, dry eyes, constant thirst
- Avoid if you are still fighting off a cold or have weak digestion; those with diabetes should use fish maw only occasionally
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fish maw (hua jiao): traditionally nourishes the liver and kidneys, supports yin and is associated with healthy, supple skin
- Chicken feet (ji jiao): rich in collagen; traditionally associated with skin firmness and bone support
- Coconut flesh (ye zi rou): adds sweetness and a clean, moistening quality
- Longan and red dates: traditionally nourish the blood and calm the mind
- Ginger: warms the soup
Ingredients (1 stew pot, ~3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut flesh | ~113 g (3 liang) | |
| Soaked fish maw | ~150 g (4 liang) | |
| Fresh chicken feet | 6–8 | Toenails removed, blanched |
| Dried longan flesh | 10 | |
| Red dates | 4 | |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices |
Method
- Soak and rinse the ingredients. Trim the toenails from the chicken feet and blanch them.
- Place everything in a stewing vessel, add 3 bowls of boiling water, and double-boil for 3 hours. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear and moistening, suitable for young and old. It suits new mothers and others recovering from surgery, as long as they have an appetite. But those still fighting off a cold, or with weak digestion, should not take it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Wujing): Fish maw is said to nourish the liver and kidneys and help when you are always thirsty and wanting water. Can people with diabetes use it regularly? Bro Niu: Fish maw is good, but it does sit heavily in the stomach. People with diabetes can have a little fish maw now and then as a nourishing food, at most twice a week.
Published April 24, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
