Soups
Lizardfish (Suo Luo Yu) and Hairy Gourd Soup
Traditionally clears damp-heat from the digestive tract; nourishing for the whole family
Why people make this soup
Lizardfish (suo luo yu) makes a beautifully sweet, savoury stock. They’re small and fiddly to clean, so a good fishmonger who guts and scales them is a treasure. Simmered with hairy gourd, this soup is traditionally given to children whose digestive damp-heat leaves them irritable, fussy and restless — it’s a clean, nourishing bowl the whole family can enjoy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children with digestive damp-heat who are irritable and restless; the whole family, young and old, can drink it
- It’s a gentle, nourishing everyday soup; clean the fish thoroughly
- For a child with ongoing irritability, poor sleep or digestive trouble, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lizardfish (suo luo yu): makes a fresh, sweet stock; traditionally nourishing.
- Hairy gourd (jie gua): traditionally said to clear internal dryness and heat from the organs.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): tempers the “fishy” nature and warms the soup.
- Lean pork: adds body and savoury depth.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lizardfish | ~600 g | Cleaned, pan-seared, then bagged in a soup pouch |
| Hairy gourd (jie gua) | 2 | Peeled, chunked |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Lean pork | ~225 g | Sliced, blanched |
Method
- Clean the lizardfish, sear lightly in a little oil, then place in a fish-soup pouch (this keeps the broth clear).
- Peel and chunk the hairy gourd; slice and blanch the pork.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer 1 hour down to 4–5 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the gourd.
Bro Niu’s tips
Hairy gourd is traditionally said to clear dryness and heat from the organs; this soup is nutritious, tasty, and suits the whole family for regular drinking. Always sear the lizardfish first and bag it in a soup pouch so the broth doesn’t turn cloudy. You can also vary it with papaya in place of the gourd, or add carrot, corn, fox-nut (qian shi) or red dates.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Michelle): If I can’t find lizardfish, can I use another kind of fish? Bro Niu: Lizardfish is often sold by the “boat people,” but you can use other small sea fish — no problem.
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Q (Joey): Can I add a “qing bu liang” soup base to this lizardfish and hairy gourd soup? Codonopsis or tai zi shen for the child? Bro Niu: Adding qing bu liang would make it too busy. To support qi, just add 3 qian of tai zi shen.
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Q (Ah-Ying): Can I make it with papaya instead of hairy gourd, plus huai shan, lotus seed, fox-nut, red dates, scallop and tai zi shen? Bro Niu: Papaya works and tastes just as good. Those ingredients are fine — traditionally said to strengthen the spleen, support qi and build up the body. Adding chen pi and pork shin makes it richer.
Published October 28, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
