Fresh Lily Bulb, Mung Bean and Seaweed Soup

Why people make this soup

Fresh lily bulb — the kind with thick, pearly scales that look like a miniature white lotus — is one of the most versatile ingredients in Cantonese food therapy. Unlike many dried tonic herbs, it is equally at home in a sweet soup or a stir-fry with snap peas or celery. This particular combination draws together three ingredients that food therapy associates with heat-clearing and lung support: lily bulb to calm and moisten, mung beans to clear heat and detoxify, and seaweed to soften and reduce phlegm. Those recovering from respiratory illness, lingering post-infection inflammation, or simply living with a dry or congested respiratory system may find this soup a comforting and helpful regular dish.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults and children as a general cooling and lung-moistening soup
• Those with chronically cold or weak digestive systems (prone to loose stools, cold hands and feet, low energy) should use cautiously or reduce the mung bean amount
• Not recommended for those who are currently in the early stage of a cold with chills, or who have a very cold constitution

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): Traditionally associated with moistening the lungs, easing dry cough, calming anxiety, and supporting sleep; considered neutral to slightly cool in nature
• Mung beans (lv dou): A classic Cantonese heat-clearing ingredient; traditionally used to support detoxification and reduce internal heat
• Seaweed / sargassum (hai zao): In traditional food therapy, associated with dissolving phlegm, softening hardened accumulations, and supporting thyroid-adjacent wellness — used here in small quantities as a supporting ingredient
• Rock sugar (bing tang): Optional; moistens and harmonises, balances any bitterness

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh lily bulb	1 whole bulb	Separate scales and rinse well
Mung beans	75 g (2 liang)	Soak and rinse
Tender dried seaweed (hai zao)	1 small handful (~10 g)	Soak briefly in water until rehydrated; use soaking water too
Rock sugar	To taste	Add at the end if desired
Water	7 bowls (~1.75 L)

Method

1. Separate the fresh lily bulb into individual scales and wash thoroughly.
2. Soak and rinse the mung beans.
3. Briefly soak the dried seaweed (tender variety) in water to rehydrate; it expands quickly. Keep the soaking water to add to the pot.
4. Bring 7 bowls of water to a boil. Add the mung beans and simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Add the fresh lily bulb and seaweed (with its soaking water), and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.
6. Add rock sugar to taste if desired. Serve warm; eat the solids along with the broth.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup is suited for both sweet and savoury versions. Adding a little rock sugar makes it a pleasant dessert soup. The combination is associated with lung support and anti-inflammatory action, and it is also suitable for those recovering from respiratory illness. However, those with cold and weak digestive systems should not use it regularly. Dried seaweed (hai zao) is available at Chinese or Asian grocers and larger supermarkets. The tender dried variety is very clean — no need to wash it at length. Just soak it briefly in a small amount of water; it opens up quickly. Cook within 10 minutes. You can use southern dates (nan zao) instead of red dates in this or other soups — they are considered slightly more nourishing, though red dates are more flavourful.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (sandy): I’ve just caught COVID — my throat is really painful to swallow. What can help? Bro Niu: You can try Lianhua Qingwen capsules (a well-known Chinese medicine formula) for three days — they are particularly effective for COVID sore throat. If you’re taking Western medicine, space them 2 hours apart. Alternatively, simmer half a jin luo han guo (monk fruit) with dried snow pear slices — it can help soothe the throat.

• Q (Ling): My 2-year-old recovered from COVID but is left with a hoarse voice. Is there a food remedy suitable for such a young child? Bro Niu: You can make a pleasant soup with 15 olives (bruised), 1 monk fruit (cracked open), and 7–8 slices of dried snow pear (pitted), in 7 bowls of water simmered to 5 bowls. The whole family can drink it; give the baby 2 bowls spread through the day. This is associated with clearing heat, soothing the throat, and moistening the lungs. Continue for 3 days — it tastes good too.

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Published December 5, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.