Soups
Fish Maw, Goji Berry and Frog Leg Soup (Hua Jiao Gou Qi Tian Ji Tang)
traditionally associated with nourishing collagen, brightening the complexion, and supporting kidney yin and yang
Why people make this soup
Fish maw (hua jiao) is the dried and rehydrated swim bladder of large fish — it sounds unusual if you have not encountered it before, but it has been part of Cantonese fine dining and everyday wellness cooking for generations. What makes it special is its high concentration of collagen-related proteins, which are absorbed into the body through the digestive system. Eating collagen may not work in exactly the way topical skincare does, but many people who eat fish maw regularly report improvements in skin smoothness and moisture — and traditional food therapy has always understood the relationship between deep nourishment and outer appearance.
In traditional Chinese food therapy, fish maw is considered unusual because it simultaneously nourishes both kidney yin (the cooling, moistening aspect) and kidney yang (the warming, energising aspect) — most tonic ingredients tend to favour one or the other. It is also very low in sugar and fat, making it suitable for a much broader range of people than many rich-sounding tonic ingredients.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults, including the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those with a generally cold constitution (adding a couple of extra ginger slices helps moderate things further).
- Particularly recommended for women over 40 who wish to support their skin from the inside, or for those with a tendency toward blood deficiency, anaemia, or lung and kidney weakness.
- Those with digestive weakness should be mindful of portion size — fish maw is gelatinous and rich, and eating too much in one sitting can feel heavy on the stomach. Those with excess phlegm should look for aged fish maw (chen nian hua jiao), in which the sticky gelatine has reduced over time, making it easier to digest.
- Children 3 and above can enjoy this soup in moderate amounts.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fish maw (hua jiao): Rich in collagen-related proteins and polysaccharides. Traditional food therapy considers it to simultaneously supplement kidney yin and yang — a relatively rare dual tonic. Also associated with nourishing blood and supporting lung health.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish liver and kidney yin, brighten the eyes, and enhance blood quality — a classic beauty-supporting herb.
- Frog legs (tian ji): In Cantonese tradition, field frog is considered to nourish yin and moisten the body. It has a gentle, clean flavour and provides lean protein to the soup without heaviness. If frog is unavailable or not to your taste, lean pork or fresh fish works as a substitute.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Moderates the cold nature of some of the other ingredients and prevents any fishiness from the maw or frog.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rehydrated fish maw | ~115 g (3 liang) | Pre-soaked and blanched — see method |
| Goji berries | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak briefly, rinse |
| Frog legs | ~300 g (half a jin) | Clean and blanch |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Water | Enough to cover (~6 bowls) | |
| Salt, seasoning | To taste |
Method
- If using dried fish maw, soak it in water overnight (or until fully rehydrated), then briefly blanch in boiling water to remove any excess oil. Cut into manageable pieces.
- Clean the frog legs thoroughly, then blanch briefly in boiling water and drain.
- Soak the goji berries in cool water for a few minutes and rinse.
- Place all ingredients — fish maw, frog legs, ginger — in a pot. Add enough water to cover (about 6 bowls).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 2 hours.
- Season with salt and serve the soup with all the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fish maw is particularly beneficial for those with lung and kidney weakness, or those who tend toward anaemia and blood deficiency. However, because of its rich gelatinous nature, those with digestive issues should not eat too large a portion at once — it can sit heavily. For anyone who produces a lot of phlegm or has weak qi, aged fish maw (stored for longer after processing) is a better choice, as its stickiness has reduced. Frog can be substituted with lean pork or fresh fish without much loss to the overall soup.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (蛋糕人): If I don’t want to use frog, what can I substitute? Bro Niu: You can substitute with lean pork or fresh fish fillet.
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Q (lucy): Can people with high blood pressure drink this soup? Can someone with a cold constitution drink it? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable for everyone including the elderly, and safe for those with a cold constitution — just add a couple more slices of ginger. It is also fine for those with high blood pressure.
Published March 7, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
