Coriander, Scallion, Ginger, Century Egg & Grass Carp Soup

Why people make this soup

Late nights, rich food, too much alcohol, smoking — the modern lifestyle takes a toll on the throat and lungs. People who frequently eat fried, spicy, or heavy food often develop a pattern Chinese medicine calls “lung heat”: a dry throat, cracked lips, mild mouth ulcers, or a feeling of inner restlessness. This soup is Nourilo’s go-to for exactly this situation — and the beauty of it is that almost every ingredient is already in your kitchen. Coriander, scallions, ginger, a century egg, and a piece of fresh fish: nothing exotic, nothing expensive, but combined in a light broth they make something genuinely restorative.

Century egg might seem like an unusual ingredient to Western cooks, but it’s one of Nourilo’s favorites for its food-therapy properties: it contains more minerals than a regular duck egg, can neutralize excess stomach acid, nourishes lung yin, and clears lung heat. The coriander adds its characteristic warmth and aromatic quality, while scallions gently open the pores and support the body’s surface circulation. Ginger anchors everything with its stomach-warming effect.

Method

1. Trim roots from the coriander and scallions; wash well and cut into 5 cm sections.
2. Shell the century eggs and cut in half.
3. Scale and wash the grass carp fillet; slice into thin pieces on the diagonal.
4. Bring 1.5 L of water to a boil in a pot.
5. Add all ingredients together to the boiling water.
6. Simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Season lightly with salt and serve warm. Good for the whole family.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is fragrant and clear-tasting — light enough that you want more, but genuinely nourishing. It is particularly good for people recovering from a cold who still have a dry or sore throat, or for anyone whose throat feels rough and voice is husky from talking too much, too much air-conditioning, or a bout of internal heat from rich eating. Those who sweat a lot should skip this one, as the surface-opening action is not right for them. A great weeknight soup when you need something quick and restorative.