Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

When stress piles up, sleep fragments, and the heart races for no apparent reason, many Cantonese families reach for a soup featuring lotus seeds and lily bulb. The combination has a long history as food therapy for what practitioners describe as “heart fire” and “yin deficiency” — restless agitation, difficulty settling the mind at night, and a persistent low-level unease. What makes this version special is the use of fresh lotus seeds rather than dried ones: fresh lotus seeds are more fragrant, and — crucially — their bitter green embryo (the lian xin) is left in. That tiny core is prized for clearing heart heat and settling agitation, even though its flavour is noticeably bitter. The silkie chicken (a black-boned chicken variety) is considered tonic without being warming or drying — making it suitable for people recovering after illness, for children during growth periods, and for older adults looking to improve their overall constitution.