Soups
Enoki Mushroom, Walnut & Fuzzy Melon Soup
traditionally associated with nourishing brain function and supporting focus
Why people make this soup
Parents preparing for exam season often reach for rich tonics, but heavily warming foods can backfire — leaving already sleep-deprived students even more restless and irritable. Bro Niu’s approach here is different: a clear, pleasant broth built around enoki mushrooms, walnuts, and cashews. The idea is to nourish without overheating, giving the mind steady support rather than a jittery surge. The soup is mild enough for the whole family and tastes naturally sweet from the fuzzy melon and carrot.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for students and anyone under mental stress, children, elderly, and the whole family; neither warming nor cooling in nature
- No significant cautions for healthy individuals; those who want extra savouriness may add a small amount of lean pork or chicken
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Enoki mushrooms (jin zhen gu): Rich in lysine and zinc, traditionally associated with supporting children’s intellectual development and easing fatigue
- Walnut kernels (he tao rou): The brain-shaped nut — its fatty acids are traditionally said to nourish the brain and calm the spirit
- Cashew nuts (yao guo): Nutrient-dense; fatty acids in cashews are associated with brain health, cardiovascular support, and skin nourishment
- Fuzzy melon (jie gua): A mildly sweet, neutral gourd that benefits digestive qi and moistens the lungs
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Rich in beta-carotene; traditionally used to brighten the eyes and relieve eye fatigue
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enoki mushrooms | 1 pack (~200 g) | Trim woody base, rinse well |
| Walnut kernels | ~40 g | No need to soak |
| Cashew nuts | ~40 g | Raw or lightly toasted |
| Fuzzy melon (hairy gourd) | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Water | 7 bowls (~1.75 L) |
Method
- Trim the woody base from the enoki mushrooms; rinse thoroughly and set aside.
- Peel the fuzzy melon and carrot; cut both into chunks.
- Place all ingredients — enoki mushrooms, walnut kernels, cashew nuts, fuzzy melon, carrot, and ginger — into a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve the soup together with the cooked ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is mild and naturally sweet — suitable for young children, older family members, and anyone in between. It is neither heating nor cooling, so there is no need to worry about drinking it on ordinary days. If you prefer a heartier broth, add some lean pork or chicken pieces before simmering.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Lala): If I do not have enoki mushrooms, what can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can substitute cordyceps flowers (chong cao hua) — use about 15 g (5 qian).
-
Q (gracec): My daughter is nearly 12 and is quite short and slim. Are there soup suggestions to support her growth? Bro Niu: Make sure her diet is nutritionally balanced overall, and encourage sports like basketball — that helps more than any single soup. You can also try tian qi (3 qian), huai shan, fu ling, lian zi, qian shi (5 qian each), and red dates (6 pieces) simmered with pork shin — it supports the spleen and absorption.
Published April 14, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
