Tomato, Carrot, Corn and Fresh Abalone Soup

Why people make this soup

Fresh small abalone are available at fishmongers and Asian seafood counters. Abalone is prized in Chinese food therapy for its rich mineral content — calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins A and B — and for providing protein that is considered relatively easy for the body to absorb. Combined with tomato, carrot and corn (all containing lycopene, lutein and provitamin A), this bright, sweet-tasting soup is traditionally enjoyed to help protect the eyes from environmental stressors and to support skin that looks clear and even-toned.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults and children; the soup is gentle enough for the whole family.
• People with gout: enjoy a small amount of broth only; avoid eating the abalone meat, as shellfish are high in purines.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Tomato (fan qie): Contains lycopene and pectin; traditionally associated with clearing internal heat and supporting detoxification.
• Carrot (hong luo bo): Rich in beta-carotene (provitamin A); traditionally valued for nourishing the liver and supporting eye health.
• Corn (su mi): A source of lutein and zeaxanthin; traditionally thought to help protect the eyes from light-related stress.
• Fresh abalone (xian bao yu): High-quality protein and trace minerals; in Chinese food therapy, considered nourishing to the liver and a support for skin health.
• Abalone shell (shi jue ming — stone-decision): A classic herb used in Chinese medicine to calm liver yang and support clear vision; including it in the pot is traditional practice.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Tomatoes	2 medium	Peeled and cut into wedges
Carrot	1 medium	Peeled and cut into chunks
Fresh corn	1 ear	Husked and cut into sections
Fresh ginger	3 slices
Fresh small abalone	6–7 pieces	Cleaned; shells scrubbed and blanched separately
Water	7 bowls (~1.75 L)

Method

1. Peel and cut the tomatoes and carrot into chunks. Husk the corn and cut into sections.
2. Ask your fishmonger to clean the abalone, or clean them yourself: remove the meat, scrub the shells thoroughly, then blanch both meat and shells briefly in boiling water.
3. Place all ingredients — including the cleaned shells — into a pot with 7 bowls of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer for 1 hour.
5. Serve the soup together with the solid ingredients and enjoy.

Bro Niu’s tips

The abalone shell is known in Chinese herbalism as shi jue ming. Simmering it alongside the abalone meat is an old Cantonese habit: it is traditionally associated with helping to lower elevated blood pressure and supporting clear vision. The soup tastes fresh and naturally sweet — fine for all ages. People with gout should limit themselves to the broth and skip the shellfish.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (fanny50631): My granddaughter is 3 years old and spends a lot of time looking at screens. What soups or foods can I make to help protect her eyes? Bro Niu: You can make the soup in this article. A soup with chan hua (cicada flower fungus), goji berries, carrot and pig liver is also very good for children’s eyes. Use 4 qian of chan hua for a family pot, 3 qian of goji berries, and other ingredients to taste. Simmer for 1 hour.

• Q (Jo): I often have problems with ear imbalance and dizziness. What soup might help? Bro Niu: Ear imbalance and dizziness can have several causes — one common one in Chinese medicine is the accumulation of phlegm-damp in the body that rises upward. You may try: fa xia 4 qian, fu ling 4 qian, bai zhu 4 qian, chen pi 2 qian, wu mei 2 pieces, gan cao 1 qian, simmered in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls. Take 3 doses, then pause for 2 days and take another 3 if you see improvement. Please see a doctor if symptoms persist.

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Published September 9, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.