Soups
Lotus Root, Peanut, Black Bean & Dried Octopus Soup
Traditionally associated with supporting milk production in nursing mothers
Why people make this soup
Many new mothers today choose to breastfeed, knowing that breast milk is the best nourishment for their baby. But stress, fatigue, or a body that is still recovering after birth can sometimes lead to insufficient milk supply. This warming, flavourful soup draws on classic Chinese food-therapy thinking: lotus root calms the nerves and supports circulation; peanuts, black beans, and dried figs have long been used together in Cantonese postpartum cooking to gently nourish the body and encourage milk flow. The dried octopus adds a deep savoury richness that makes the broth genuinely delicious — it is a soup the whole household will want a bowl of, not just the new mum.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Nursing mothers looking for a flavourful, nourishing everyday soup during the postpartum period
- Anyone in the family wanting a blood-nourishing, stomach-friendly meal — young and old alike
- As always, if you have a specific medical concern about milk supply, please consult your doctor or a lactation specialist
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus root (lian ou): In traditional Chinese food therapy, lotus root is considered cooling and calming — associated with soothing restlessness, supporting the stomach, and promoting blood circulation
- Red-skin peanuts (hong pi hua sheng): The red skin is believed to have a blood-enriching quality; together with the nut itself, peanuts are a classic ingredient in postpartum soups traditionally paired with foods thought to support lactation
- Black beans (hei dou): Rich in plant proteins and minerals; traditionally associated with nourishing the kidneys and blood
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Mildly sweet, believed to moisten the intestines and, in combination with other ingredients here, traditionally thought to encourage milk secretion
- Dried octopus (zhang yu): Adds protein and a rich savoury flavour; in Cantonese cooking it is a classic postpartum ingredient, valued for its blood-tonifying properties
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root | ~600 g | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Red-skin peanuts | ~75 g (2 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Black beans | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Dried figs | 3–4 pieces | Halved |
| Dried octopus | ~75 g (2 liang) | Blanched briefly in boiling water |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 L) |
Method
- Peel the lotus root and cut into large chunks.
- Soak and rinse the peanuts and black beans separately.
- Halve the dried figs.
- Blanch the dried octopus briefly in boiling water to remove any impurities, then drain.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to roughly 4 bowls.
- Serve with the soup ingredients — everything in the pot is edible and nutritious.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is blood-nourishing and gentle enough for most of the family. If you want a richer, more savoury broth, add one piece of pork shank (pig knuckle or pork shin) when you put everything in the pot. One important note: lotus root does not get along well with iron cookware — the tannins in lotus root can react with iron and turn the soup dark. Use a ceramic, clay, or glass pot for best results.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (苏太 / reader): My daughter gave birth five days ago by natural delivery and is breastfeeding. The baby needs phototherapy today for jaundice — I am worried. Can she use the soups from your postpartum book? The maternity nurse says she should not drink black wood ear mushroom tea or eat papaya. Bro Niu: Mild jaundice in newborns is very common these days — phototherapy sorts it out quickly. If your daughter’s skin looks a little yellow but she is otherwise well, she may be taking in a lot of beta-carotene from foods like papaya and carrot — cutting those back for a few days usually lets the yellow tone fade naturally. Black wood ear mushroom tea is fine to drink; it supports blood circulation after birth. The maternity nurse has done only a short course and may not know everything — as the employer, your daughter can make her own decisions. In the days ahead, gentle soups with huang qi, dang shen, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, lily bulb, goji berries, and jujubes are good choices.
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Q (Mi / reader): I am 6 weeks pregnant and have constant bloating and gas. I have been steeping dried砂仁 (sha ren) and aged tangerine peel — can I drink this every day? Bro Niu: Sha ren has a mild calming effect for the stomach during pregnancy and Chen pi helps move digestive qi. You can take it for one to two weeks. Avoid very fatty foods, and keep nut and bean portions small as these easily cause gas.
Published December 24, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
