Ginkgo Tofu Skin Job's Tears Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

The combination of ginkgo nuts and tofu skin is one of those pairings that Cantonese grandmothers have been making for generations — and for good reason. Together they create a dessert that is at once smooth, subtly sweet, and deeply satisfying, while also being thought to clear internal dryness and nourish the lungs. Adding raw job’s tears (also known as Chinese barley or coix seed) takes this classic in a more skin-focused direction: job’s tears are one of the most widely used ingredients in East Asian beauty food therapy, traditionally associated with improving skin texture, reducing pigmentation, and helping to slow visible skin ageing. Nourilo notes that this is a dessert that does double duty — pleasurable to eat and quietly looking after the body at the same time.

Method

1. Shell the ginkgo nuts, remove the outer skin, and carefully remove the inner green core — this step is essential as the core contains a mildly toxic compound.
2. Snip the dried tofu skin into smaller pieces and rinse briefly.
3. Soak the job’s tears in cold water for at least 30 minutes; drain.
4. Place all ingredients except the rock sugar into a pot with 2.1–2.4 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, until all ingredients are soft and the liquid has reduced to about 1.2–1.5 L.
6. Add rock sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

This sweet soup clears internal heat and dryness, leaving the body feeling comfortable and refreshed. If you are pregnant and cannot use job’s tears, beat 2 eggs and stir them in just before serving — this adds nourishment without any of the concerns. Ginkgo has a lovely side use: mash a raw ginkgo nut (the fresh flesh, not dried) and apply the paste to pimples or acne spots, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. It is a simple traditional remedy that many people find helpful.