Coral Grass & Goji Berry Sweet Soup

Why people make this sweet soup

Coral grass — called shan hu cao in Cantonese kitchens — is a type of dried red sea algae that expands dramatically when soaked in water, turning from a small tangle of brittle threads into a generous, jelly-like mass. It is exceptionally high in natural plant fibre, contains multiple minerals, and is sometimes compared to a plant-based collagen source. In the tradition of Cantonese sweet soups (tong sui), coral grass has been prized as an ingredient that gently encourages bowel movement, supports skin clarity, and provides a cooling, gelatinous texture that makes a dessert-like sweet soup satisfying without being heavy. Nourilo particularly recommends it for people who experience frequent constipation, dull or blemished skin, or rough skin texture. Paired with goji berries for their eye and liver associations, and warmed with ginger and brown sugar, this sweet soup is easy to make and pleasant to drink.