Soups
Mini Coconut, Snow Fungus and Lily Chicken Soup
traditionally used to nourish the lungs, support skin moisture, and calm the mind
Why people make this soup
After a long day, there is something genuinely restorative about a soup that smells beautiful from the moment it starts to simmer. Mini coconuts have a naturally sweet, milky fragrance that fills the kitchen as they cook, and in traditional Chinese food therapy they are valued for their cooling and lung-nourishing properties. Combined with snow fungus — which is rich in natural plant-based collagens traditionally associated with supporting skin texture — and lily bulb, which has a calming, slightly sweet character that soothes the mind as well as the body, this chicken soup is the kind of preparation Cantonese grandmothers have been making for generations. The free-range chicken (ideally hormone-free) keeps the soup light and the flavor clean, while the ginger and red dates give warmth and balance. This is a natural choice for a festive family meal, a beauty soup for skin wellness, or simply a treat for yourself at the end of a busy week.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for those who want to support skin moisture and smoothness, ease mild dryness or a rough complexion, or strengthen immunity
- Beneficial after periods of illness or fatigue, or during dry seasonal weather
- The soup is gentle and nourishing for most people; children and the elderly are welcome to enjoy it
- Use free-range, hormone-free chicken whenever possible — poultry raised with growth hormones is best avoided, especially for those concerned about hormonal health
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Mini coconut: Naturally sweet and mildly cooling; traditionally associated with supporting the lungs, clearing heat, and nourishing the skin
- Snow fungus (xue er): Contains rich plant-based polysaccharides with a gelatinous quality; traditionally used for moisturizing the skin, nourishing the lungs, and supporting a clear, smooth complexion
- Fresh lily bulb (bai he): Cooling and gently nourishing; traditionally valued for calming the heart and mind, easing mild anxiety, and supporting lung health
- Free-range chicken: A lean, unprocessed protein that forms the base of the soup; provides depth of flavor without heaviness
- Red dates (hong zao): Warming and qi-supporting; balance the cooling character of the coconut and lily
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mini coconut | 1 small | Rinse, cut into chunks |
| Snow fungus (xue er) | 3 qian (~11 g) | Soak until soft, remove tough base |
| Fresh lily bulb (bai he) | 1 liang (~38 g) | Rinsed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | — |
| Red dates | 5 pieces | Pitted |
| Free-range chicken | Half a chicken | Chop into large pieces, blanch first |
| Water | 9 bowls | — |
Method
- Rinse the mini coconut and cut into chunks.
- Soak the snow fungus in water until fully soft; remove the tough base and tear into smaller pieces.
- Rinse the lily bulb pieces.
- Pit the red dates.
- Chop the chicken into large pieces and blanch in boiling water to remove blood and impurities. Rinse and drain.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 9 bowls of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 hours until the liquid reduces to about 4 bowls.
- Serve warm with the soup ingredients on the side to eat.
Bro Niu’s tips
Mini coconuts have a wonderfully rich fragrance and work beautifully in both soups and sweet dessert preparations. One thing to watch: they can go mouldy quickly if stored improperly, so buy them fresh from a trusted stall and use them promptly. When you use free-range chicken for this soup, the flavor is clean and the soup naturally lighter than with farmed chicken — and there is no need for skin-on pieces, which can be fattier.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ms. Wong): My mother is 66 and generally in good health except for high blood pressure. She is having a major foot joint replacement operation soon. What soups would help her prepare her body beforehand? Bro Niu: To prepare for surgery, it is important to build up qi and blood. Good options include soups made with Chinese yam, lotus seeds, lily bulb, longan, and tangerine peel with pork shank; lotus root with red kidney beans, dried figs, and tangerine peel with ribs; or braised black-boned chicken with sea cucumber, Chinese yam, goji berries, and red dates. All of these support qi and blood nourishment.
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Q (Ms. Wong, follow-up): Should those soups be taken before or after the operation? Bro Niu: Drink them before the surgery. They are also suitable to continue for about 5 days after the operation.
Published September 9, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
