Soups
Cordyceps Flower Yam Goji Chestnut Pork Shin Soup (Chong Cao Hua Huai Qi Li Zi Zhu Zhan Tang)
Traditionally nourishing; supports the body's resilience and immunity
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu picked up a bag of cordyceps flower — inexpensive, but a lovely nourishing ingredient. He likes that it is sweet and neutral in nature: it nourishes without being warming or drying, so it rarely causes “heatiness” and suits pregnant women well. With colds and flu still going around, he pairs it with fresh yam, goji, chestnut and red date in a pork shin soup to help build the body’s resilience against upper-respiratory bugs.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People wanting to support their resilience and immunity, including those recovering after illness, childbirth or surgery, and older people with weak, achy lower backs and knees.
- Gentle and family-friendly, suitable for young and old, and mild enough for pregnancy.
- If you take blood thinners or have a chronic condition, check with your doctor before regular tonic use.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): Sweet and neutral; traditionally nourishing without being warming or drying, associated with supporting resilience. Its goodness is mainly in the “heads.”
- Fresh yam (huai shan): Traditionally strengthens the spleen-stomach and supports digestion.
- Goji (gou qi zi): Associated with nourishing the liver and brightening the eyes.
- Chestnut (li zi): Traditionally supports the kidneys and strengthens the lower back and knees.
- Red date (hong zao) and tangerine peel (chen pi): Nourish blood, support the spleen, and round out the flavour.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower | ~18.75 g (5 qian) | Soak only ~5 min |
| Fresh yam | 1 root | Peeled, chunked |
| Goji berries | ~11.25 g (3 qian) | Rinsed |
| Chestnuts | 10 | |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soaked |
| Pork shin | ~450 g (12 liang) | Blanched |
Method
- Soak and rinse the cordyceps flower (5 minutes only), goji and tangerine peel separately.
- Peel the fresh yam and cut into chunks; pit the red dates.
- Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch.
- Simmer all ingredients in about 8 cups of water for 2 hours, until reduced to 4 bowls. Eat the soup and ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
Cordyceps flower’s goodness and effect are mainly in the heads, and soaking causes it to lose colour — so don’t soak it long, about 5 minutes is enough. This soup is fragrant and pleasant for all ages, and is especially valued for those weak after illness, childbirth or surgery, and for older people with achy, weak lower backs and knees.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Christine): Is fresh yam the same as frozen yam in effect? Bro Niu: I have not seen frozen yam for sale, since fresh yam is easy to find. I recommend the fresh kind — frozen has been handled, so peeling and washing fresh yam yourself is better.
- Q (Sophia): Is there a substitute for chestnut? Bro Niu: Chestnut can be replaced with cashews, other nuts, or beans and peanuts.
- Q (小玲 / Siu Ling): Can I add morels or lion’s mane, and use southern dates instead of red dates? Bro Niu: Yes — add a little morel or lion’s mane, but cut back slightly on the cordyceps flower. Red dates can be swapped for southern dates (nam zao).
Published June 15, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
