Lotus Root, Peanut, Black Bean & Dried Octopus Soup

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.