Chinese Yam, Goji, Dried Scallop & Partridge Soup

Why people make this soup

Some children seem to be perpetually thin and pale — they eat small amounts, hold food in their mouths without swallowing, and struggle to put on weight or grow at a normal rate. Their energy is low, their faces have a bluish pallor, and their parents worry constantly. In Cantonese food culture, one of the most trusted solutions is to regularly cook deeply nourishing tonic soups, and partridge (zhe gu) is a go-to ingredient for exactly this purpose. Despite being a game bird, partridge has a remarkably high protein content compared to common poultry like chicken, while its flavour is clean and not at all greasy. Paired with Chinese yam, goji berries, and the umami richness of dried scallop, this soup is genuinely delicious — and easy enough for the whole family to enjoy together.