Nourilo

Soups

Enoki Mushroom & Silver Carp Head Soup

traditionally nourishes the brain and supports memory; may ease dizziness and tinnitus

In short: Enoki Mushroom & Silver Carp Head Soup is a soup that traditionally nourishes the brain and supports memory; may ease dizziness and tinnitus. It is most often made for everyday balance. Total time about 50 min. Key ingredients: ginger, spring onion.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Everyday Balance
Enoki Mushroom & Silver Carp Head Soup

Why people make this soup

There is an old Chinese saying: “From silver carp, eat the head; from green carp, eat the tail.” The silver carp head — particularly the rich, gelatinous “fish cloud” (yu yun) — has long been prized in Chinese food-therapy tradition for nourishing the brain and spinal marrow, warming the stomach, and easing dizziness. Paired with enoki mushrooms (sometimes called the “wisdom mushroom” in Chinese), which are notably high in zinc, this soup is a practical and delicious option for households where children are in a growth phase, or where adults are mentally overworked. The soup comes together quickly — under an hour — which makes it realistic for busy weeknights.

Method

  1. Have the fishmonger remove the gills from the fish head and cut it into sections. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
  2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and pan-fry the fish head sections until lightly golden on both sides. This step removes the fishy smell and adds depth of flavour to the soup.
  3. Transfer the pan-fried fish head and the ginger slices into a soup pot. Add 1.5 L of water and bring to a boil.
  4. Simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes, until the soup turns a milky white.
  5. Trim the roots from the enoki mushrooms and rinse. Add the enoki and spring onion sections to the pot.
  6. Season with salt and simmer for a further 2–3 minutes, until the enoki is just cooked through.
  7. Serve immediately — eat the fish, mushrooms, and drink the broth.

Nourilo’s Tips

Enoki mushrooms are high in zinc and traditionally considered supportive of children’s memory, intelligence development, and even height growth. Because they are high in potassium and low in sodium, they are also well-suited for people managing high blood pressure or high cholesterol — and for older adults. If a child dislikes the taste of fish, Nourilo suggests replacing the fish head with a handful of peanuts and lean pork, which still makes a nourishing soup. You can also add tofu and tomato to this soup for extra nutrition — the flavours work very well together.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

Why is silver carp head used in this soup rather than another cut of fish?

In Chinese food-therapy tradition, the silver carp head — especially the gelatinous 'fish cloud' (yu yun) — has long been prized for nourishing the brain and spinal marrow, warming the stomach, and easing dizziness. There is even an old Chinese saying: 'From silver carp, eat the head; from green carp, eat the tail.'

What role do enoki mushrooms traditionally play in this recipe?

Enoki mushrooms, sometimes called the 'wisdom mushroom' in Chinese, are notably high in zinc and are traditionally considered supportive of children's memory, intelligence development, and even height growth. They are also high in potassium and low in sodium, making them well-suited for older adults and people managing high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Who is this soup particularly suited for?

The recipe describes it as a practical option for households where children are in a growth phase or where adults are mentally overworked. Because enoki mushrooms are high in potassium and low in sodium, they are also well-suited for older adults and those managing high blood pressure or high cholesterol — as part of a balanced diet.

Why does the method call for pan-frying the fish head before simmering?

Pan-frying the fish head sections until lightly golden on both sides removes the fishy smell and adds depth of flavour to the finished soup.

How long does this soup take to prepare, and how much does it make?

The total time is about 50 minutes — 15 minutes of preparation and 35 minutes of cooking. The recipe yields approximately 0.9 to 1.2 litres of soup.

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