Kudzu, Adzuki Bean and Job's-Tears Soup

Why people make this soup

When the weather turns cold and damp, Nourilo says older folks often feel a sore back and stiff limbs, while younger ones glued to a computer with little movement get tight, achy necks and shoulders — both, in his view, tied to too much damp. Kudzu root is traditionally used to ease tight neck and shoulder muscles and is also considered beneficial for those minding blood pressure and blood sugar, so he likes to cook with it in this season, pairing it with adzuki bean and job’s-tears to support the spleen and clear damp.

Method

1. Peel the kudzu root and cut into chunks. Slice the pork and blanch it.
2. Soak and rinse the remaining ingredients.
3. Put everything in a pot with 2.4 L of water and simmer about 2 hours down to 1.2 L. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

Kudzu root is rich in coarse fibre, so eating the soup ingredients helps tidy up the gut and is traditionally seen as helpful for skin eczema too.