Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Dried Scallop, and Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Silkie chicken (also called black-bone chicken or wu gu ji in Mandarin) is one of those ingredients that looks unusual but has a well-established reputation in Chinese food-therapy. Unlike ordinary chicken, silkie chicken contains 18 amino acids and meaningful amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and various trace minerals — yet its fat content is relatively low, which means it makes a deeply nourishing broth without feeling heavy or prone to causing the internal heat that richer meats sometimes produce. Paired with lotus seeds and lily bulb — two herbs associated with calming the mind and supporting heart and blood — and with dried scallops adding a beautiful savoury sweetness, this soup is what Nourilo reaches for when someone needs genuine restoration: students burning through exam periods, new mothers recovering from childbirth, or anyone whose energy and mental clarity have been depleted.