Soups
Green Radish, Black Fungus, Fig and Pork Rib Soup
Traditionally used to soothe the throat, aid digestion, and support the body during recovery
Why people make this soup
There’s an old saying: “Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you’ll stay well all year.” When families gather around the hotpot in cool weather, a bit of radish helps soothe the throat and clear heat — and green radish is especially good for the throat. Despite a slightly peppery raw taste, it turns sweet and mild in soup. Green radish is traditionally associated with aiding digestion (it carries enzymes that break down starch and fat) and with helping the body clear waste. Paired with white-backed black fungus, traditionally valued for nourishing qi and blood, plus figs and almonds, it becomes a nourishing pot that many keep as a supportive soup during recovery.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits young and old; clear and naturally sweet, supportive for digestion and throat comfort
- One caution: while drinking radish soup, avoid other qi-tonifying herbs, as radish is traditionally thought to counter them
- If you are under cancer treatment, treat this as food only and please follow your doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green radish (qing luo bo): traditionally soothes the throat, aids digestion, and helps clear waste from the body
- White-backed black fungus (bai bei hei mu er): traditionally nourishes qi and blood
- Dried figs (wu hua guo) and almonds (nan xing): traditionally moisten the lungs and add nourishment and flavor
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green radish | 1 | peeled, chunked |
| White-backed black fungus | 2 pieces | soaked soft, de-stemmed, sliced |
| Dried figs | 4 | rinsed |
| South almonds | ~40 g | rinsed |
| Pork ribs | ~450 g | blanched |
Method
- Peel the green radish and cut into chunks.
- Soak the black fungus until soft, remove the stems, and slice.
- Rinse the almonds and figs; blanch the pork ribs.
- Simmer everything in 8 bowls of water for about 1.5 hours, reducing to 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
White-backed black fungus is traditionally regarded as more beneficial than ordinary black fungus. This soup is clear and sweet, fine for all ages — but while drinking radish soup, hold off on other qi-tonifying herbs.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Sally): I’m 72 and a checkup found mild intestinal metaplasia. I’m worried — what can I eat? Bro Niu: I’m not deeply familiar with intestinal metaplasia, but it’s often linked to age, H. pylori, pickled, salty, fatty, and processed foods — so beyond your medication, cut those out and eat lightly. Monkey-head mushroom is good for the gut: try 2 monkey-head mushrooms, 1 tael five-finger fig root, 1 tael yam, 1 tael lotus seed, 1 tangerine peel, and 5 dates in a lean-pork soup, 2 batches a week. Dandelion tea is associated with addressing H. pylori, so you might sip some too.
- Q (Ling): Before my period I feel low on blood and qi, get tired and dizzy with the slightest exertion. Ginger tea helps but makes me run hot. Any alternative? Bro Niu: Try 5 qian chicken-blood vine (ji xue teng), 6 red dates, and 3 slices ginger in a chicken-breast soup, 2 to 3 batches; it’s helpful for pre-menstrual discomfort.
Published November 1, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
