Chinese Yam, Goji, Cashew and Loach Fish Soup (Huai Qi Yao Guo Ni Qiu Tang)

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.

Nourilo 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.

Method

1. 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.
2. Peel the fresh Chinese yam (wear gloves as the raw sap can irritate skin), and cut into chunks.
3. Rinse the goji berries, cashews and dates.
4. Place all ingredients — yam, goji berries, cashews, ginger, dates and the pan-fried loach — into a large pot.
5. Add about 2.4 L of water, bring to a boil over high heat.
6. Reduce to a medium-low simmer, cover, and cook for 2 hours.
7. Season lightly with salt. Serve warm, drinking the soup and eating some of the solid ingredients.

Nourilo’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.