Soups
Goji Leaf, Goji Berry & Pork Liver Soup
traditionally associated with clearing liver heat, brightening the eyes, and nourishing the liver and kidneys
Why people make this soup
After one too many late nights, some people wake up to find their eyes alarmingly red — not just tired-looking, but inflamed, watering, and sensitive to light. In Chinese food therapy, this sudden flare of eye symptoms is often linked to the liver becoming overheated, particularly after sleep deprivation combined with stress or overwork. The eyes are considered the sensory window of the liver, so when liver fire rises it shows there first. This soup is one of the simplest and fastest liver-cooling preparations in the Cantonese repertoire — fresh goji leaves and goji berries together, with pork liver to “nourish the liver through like feeding like.” The whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes, making it practical even on a weekday.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for adults and older children with red, watery, or irritated eyes from overwork or insufficient sleep
- Also suitable for people with vision fatigue, dim vision, or night blindness associated with liver and kidney deficiency
- A quick, pleasant soup the whole family can enjoy as a general wellness dish
- People who have had a stroke or cardiovascular disease should drink the soup without eating the liver (which is high in cholesterol)
- Those who prefer not to eat organ meats can substitute carrot; add a drizzle of oil when serving to assist fat-soluble nutrient absorption
- Not suitable during active fever or acute infection
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh goji leaves (gou qi ye): The leaves of the same plant that produces goji berries; cool in nature, sweet in flavour; traditionally used to clear heat, brighten the eyes, and nourish the essence; said to improve circulation when consumed regularly
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Warm and sweet; nourish the liver and kidneys; one of the most widely used herbs for supporting long-term eye health and resilience
- Pork liver (zhu gan): Rich in vitamin A and iron; the principle of “like nourishes like” underpins its use — the liver of one animal is thought to support the liver of another; also helps brighten the complexion
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh goji leaves (gou qi ye) | 150 g | Pick the leaves, discard stems; wash well |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 15 g | Soak briefly, rinse |
| Pork liver (zhu gan) | 225 g | Choose firm, reddish-brown liver; slice thinly |
| Water | 4–5 cups | Enough to cover all ingredients |
Method
- Pick the goji leaves from their stems and wash them thoroughly. Set aside.
- Soak and rinse the goji berries briefly. Drain.
- Wash the pork liver well and slice into thin pieces.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil in a pot.
- Add all ingredients at once: goji leaves, goji berries, and sliced pork liver.
- Cook at a lively simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Serve hot; eat the liver, goji berries, and leaves alongside the soup.
Bro Niu’s tips
When buying pork liver, look for the firm, reddish-brown variety. The pale, yellowish liver (sometimes called “sandy liver”) is actually a sign of fatty liver disease in the animal — avoid it. Goji leaves have a lightly sweet, grassy flavour that pairs well with the mild richness of the liver — the result is a delicate soup, quite different from heavier liver preparations. If goji leaves are not in season where you are, you can still make a version of this soup by increasing the goji berries slightly and adding a handful of spinach or watercress for their greenery and iron content.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Vivian): My 12-year-old son has a big temper and anxiety. Can he drink goji-based soups? Bro Niu: Goji soups are fine for him. You can also try steeping rose and jasmine flowers as a daily tea to help calm his emotions. A gentle soothing soup of wheat grain (xiao mai), honey-fried licorice (zhi gan cao), red dates, poria with wood (fu shen), and lily bulb (bai he) once or twice a week has a nice calming, heart-nourishing effect — and it tastes good too.
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Q (noratis): I used to make this soup at home too, but I liked to crack a few eggs in near the end — the whites pick up the fragrance of goji, and the yolks come out just barely cooked and silky. Bro Niu: What a lovely idea. I remember a professor from my Chinese medicine training who would make goji leaf, goji berry, and egg white soup for patients with high blood pressure or diabetes — no pork liver, no other meat. Simple and delicious. Adding the whole egg the way you describe makes it even more fragrant.
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Q (Angel): Can pork liver be replaced with lean pork? Bro Niu: You can replace pork liver with carrot — it has a similar vitamin A content and works very well in this soup.
Published November 22, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
