Soups
Fresh Chinese Yam, Pomelo & Chicken Breast Soup
Traditionally associated with supporting digestion, easing stomach discomfort, and improving appetite
Why people make this soup
Pomelo is plentiful in autumn across southern China, and in traditional Chinese food therapy it is not just a sweet fruit: the flesh has a history of use for settling the stomach, clearing what practitioners call “stagnant food qi,” and gently stimulating appetite. Paired with fresh Chinese yam — one of the most broadly beneficial tonic root vegetables in the Cantonese kitchen — and lean chicken breast for clean protein, the result is a light, fragrant soup that feels genuinely easy on the stomach. If your pomelo happens to be on the bitter side, do not worry: it still does the job beautifully, even if the broth is not as sweet.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to those with sluggish digestion, poor appetite, or a mild sense of bloating after meals
- Supportive for people managing stomach ulcers alongside conventional medical care — not a substitute for medical treatment
- The lean chicken breast makes this lighter and less rich than soups using bone-in chicken
- Generally suitable for most adults; not overly rich or warming
- If you have a diagnosed stomach ulcer or persistent digestive pain, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan / 鲜淮山; Dioscorea polystachya): Perhaps the most versatile tonic root in Cantonese food therapy; traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and stomach, support nutrient absorption, and gently nourish both the lungs and kidneys without causing dryness
- Pomelo flesh (柚子肉): The fruit’s flesh is classified as slightly cool and mildly sour in traditional Chinese medicine; associated with helping digest food, clearing a heavy or nauseous feeling in the stomach, and relieving a sense of fullness or bloating
- Red dates (hong zao / 红枣): Provide gentle natural sweetness and are traditionally used to tonify qi and blood, harmonising and softening the overall character of the soup
- Chicken breast: Lean, clean protein — lighter on the digestive system than darker cuts, making it better suited to those with a sensitive stomach
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan) | ~150 g | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Pomelo flesh (you zi rou) | ~115 g | Remove membrane; use ripe pomelo if possible |
| Red dates (hong zao), pitted | 5 | Remove stones |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | Peeled |
| Chicken breast | 1 piece (~200 g) | Blanch briefly in boiling water to remove impurities |
| Water | 7 bowls |
Method
- Peel the fresh Chinese yam and cut into large chunks; rinse under running water.
- Remove the pomelo flesh from the membrane, breaking it into rough pieces.
- Remove the pitted stones from the red dates.
- Blanch the chicken breast in a pot of boiling water for 1–2 minutes; drain and rinse.
- Place all the ingredients — yam, pomelo flesh, red dates, ginger, and blanched chicken — into a large pot. Add 7 bowls of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 1 hour until liquid reduces to about 4 bowls.
- Serve hot. Both the broth and the cooked ingredients make good eating.
Bro Niu’s tips
The flavour of this soup depends quite a bit on the quality of the pomelo. Pomelo from Guangxi province — especially the famous Rongxian variety — tends to produce a deeply sweet and fragrant broth. If your pomelo is a little on the bitter side, the soup may have a slight edge to it, but the aromas and the stomach-soothing properties remain just as effective. Do not be put off by slight bitterness — it is simply the nature of the fruit.
Community questions answered (selected)
- JJ asks: I have rheumatoid arthritis in my finger and wrist joints. Should I avoid tomatoes and all beans, including mung beans, red beans, and soybeans? Bro Niu: If the issue is not gout, eating tomatoes and most beans in moderate amounts should be fine. However, if uric acid crystals are accumulating in the small joints (gout), then purine-rich foods — most beans, mushrooms, organ meats, shellfish, and beer — should be avoided. The exception is red adzuki beans (chi xiao dou), which are actually low in purines and may help suppress uric acid levels. Adzuki bean and coix seed congee eaten regularly is a good long-term approach for both gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Published October 6, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
