Fresh Chinese Yam, Corn Silk, Carrot and Dried Geoduck Clam Soup

Why people make this soup

A stroll down the dried seafood street is always an adventure — and when Nourilo spotted dried geoduck clam on the shelves, he was intrigued. He’d been enjoying fresh geoduck regularly for its crisp, ocean-fresh flavour (magnificent steamed with garlic, ginger, shallot, dried shrimp paste, and fermented black beans), but had never tried the dried variety in a broth. Half 600 g later, he can confirm: the dried geoduck makes a beautifully sweet, deeply savoury soup. Geoduck is traditionally associated in Chinese food therapy with nourishing the liver and kidney, making it a natural fit for this health-focused soup alongside corn silk — the silky threads from fresh corn cobs, which have been used in both Cantonese food therapy and in herbal medicine research for their kidney-supportive properties — and fresh Chinese yam, which is associated with blood sugar regulation. Together, this is a soup that people managing diabetes, mild fluid retention, or high blood pressure may find particularly valuable as part of their regular rotation.

Method

1. Peel and cut the fresh Chinese yam into sections.
2. Rinse the fresh corn silk (from corn cobs).
3. Peel and cut the carrot into chunks.
4. Cut the pork shank into chunks; blanch together with the dried geoduck in boiling water for a few minutes, then drain and rinse.
5. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 2.4–2.7 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1.5 hours until reduced to about 1.2 L.
7. Serve; drink the soup and eat the solids.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a naturally clean, sweet flavour with a lovely freshness from the corn silk — no need to add anything. It is also helpful for people who stare at screens all day and find their vision declining. The carrot and wolfberry combination is classically associated with eye support. If you cannot find dried geoduck, dry conch slices make an excellent substitute, as most shellfish share the liver-kidney nourishing qualities. For those managing proteinuria in addition to diabetes, add poria (fu ling, 19 g) and raw coix seed (sheng yi mi, 37 g) to the pot.