Longan, Walnut, Goji and Bighead-Carp Fish-Head Soup

Why people make this soup

As we age, memory naturally fades — but Nourilo likes to remind everyone that elders who keep their minds active stay sharp well into their seventies and eighties. People joke that a friendly round of mahjong keeps the brain limber, and there’s truth in it: the best tonic is learning new things. Alongside that, traditional “brain foods” like longan, goji and walnut are worth eating often. The fish head follows the old idea of “like nourishes like” — not everyone agrees, but a bighead-carp head is genuinely nutritious, so Nourilo offers this soup with pleasure.

Method

1. Rinse the longan, walnut kernels and goji.
2. Clean the fish head well and pan-sear it in a little oil until fragrant.
3. Add all the ingredients to 1.8 L of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is fresh and sweet, suitable for young and old. It is also traditionally said to help support children’s memory, and to have a calming, settling effect on the mind.