Soups
Chinese Yam, Goji, Cashew and Loach Fish Soup (Huai Qi Yao Guo Ni Qiu Tang)
Traditionally used to warm and support kidney and spleen yang, ease fatigue and support vitality
Why people make this soup
In Chinese constitutional medicine, “kidney yang deficiency” describes a cluster of symptoms that many people will recognise: always feeling cold (especially in the back and knees), low energy, poor sleep, frequent nighttime urination, and a general sense of not having enough drive. This soup is a practical, food-based response to that pattern. Loach fish — a small, mild freshwater fish common in Asian markets — is prized in Chinese food therapy for its amino acid content, which is considered beneficial for male reproductive health and general vitality. Paired with Chinese yam (which supports the spleen and kidney), cashews (warming and nourishing), goji berries and ginger, the soup is warming but not overly rich.
Bro Niu notes that this soup is also a good choice for children who sweat excessively at night, have poor growth or poor absorption of nutrients — he suggests serving it two to three times a week for children in that situation.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for people who feel persistently cold, have low energy and fatigue, experience frequent nighttime urination, or have a generally weak constitution
- Appropriate for children with night sweating, poor nutrition or slow development (2–3 times per week)
- Also traditionally recommended for men experiencing reduced vitality or fertility concerns
- People with gout or high uric acid should substitute loach fish with lean beef shin or lamb, both of which are warming and kidney-supportive
- This soup is considered quite balanced and mild, so people who are not sure of their constitution can also try it without concern, according to Bro Niu
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (huai shan / Dioscorea polystachya): Nourishing to the spleen, kidney and lung; supports digestion and qi; particularly useful for those with loose stools alongside cold-type deficiency
- Goji berry (gou qi zi / Lycium barbarum): Nourishes the liver and kidney; supports blood and qi
- Cashew nut (yao guo): Considered warming and tonifying; supports the kidneys and provides protein and healthy fats
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the stomach and middle jiao; an important warming element in this cold-constitution recipe
- Loach fish (ni qiu / Misgurnus anguillicaudatus): Amino-acid rich; traditionally associated with supporting reproductive vitality, easing night sweats, aiding growth in children and supporting liver function
- Chinese dates (nan zao / hong zao): Tonify qi and blood; add sweetness and balance to the broth
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~113 g | Peel, cut into chunks; handle with gloves as the raw juice can irritate skin |
| Goji berries | ~11 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Cashew nuts (raw) | ~75 g | Rinse |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Chinese dates | 6 pieces | Rinse |
| Loach fish | ~450–500 g | See method for preparation |
| Water | ~2 litres | About 8 bowls |
Method
- Prepare the loach fish: place the live or fresh loach in a mesh fish bag and immerse briefly in a pot of vigorously boiling water for a moment to remove the slippery coating. Lift out, remove the fish from the bag, rinse under cold water, and clean by removing the heads, entrails and the slippery outer slime. Pan-fry with a little oil until golden on both sides to remove any remaining fishy smell.
- Peel the fresh Chinese yam (wear gloves as the raw sap can irritate skin), and cut into chunks.
- Rinse the goji berries, cashews and dates.
- Place all ingredients — yam, goji berries, cashews, ginger, dates and the pan-fried loach — into a large pot.
- Add about 8 bowls of water, bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce to a medium-low simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours.
- Season lightly with salt. Serve warm, drinking the soup and eating some of the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Loach fish is available at freshwater fish counters in Asian markets, though availability varies — it is worth asking ahead. If you cannot find loach, sea bass or other small fresh sea fish work as a mild substitute; for kidney yang deficiency specifically, lean beef shin or lamb is an even better functional substitute as both are considered warming and kidney-supportive. Cashews can be replaced with dried chestnuts, which are similarly warming and nourishing for the kidney. Children who sweat excessively at night and have poor growth can benefit from having this soup two to three times a week over several weeks.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Lam, reader): I am allergic to cashews. Can I use something else? Bro Niu: You can replace cashews with dried chestnuts.
-
Q (Ivy, reader): If my constitution is unclear — I seem to have a mix of types — will drinking this soup cause any harm? Bro Niu: This soup is very balanced and mild. Any constitution can drink it without negative effects.
-
Q (Cheri, reader): Loach is not available where I live. What can I substitute? Bro Niu: You can use sea bass instead. For a vegetarian version, adding walnut kernels is also nourishing.
Published December 30, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
