Soups
Night-Blooming Jasmine Fish-Tail Soup (Ye Xiang Hua Yu Wei Tang)
Traditionally freshens the breath and clears the liver to brighten the eyes
Why people make this soup
When night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua) returns to the markets, Bro Niu is glad — it’s the flower that gives the famous winter-melon-pot dish its lovely fragrance. The flowers smell sweet and clean, and stir-fry beautifully with egg or meat. In traditional food-therapy thinking they “clear the liver and brighten the eyes” and help dispel stale, foul odours. Simmered into a grass carp tail or lean pork soup, the dish is enjoyed to freshen the breath and ease mouth discomfort.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People troubled by bad breath or stale mouth odour; pleasant for the whole family, young and old.
- Traditionally said to help children with whooping cough and wheezing.
- A gentle, mild soup with no strong cautions noted in the source.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua): Sweet and bland in flavour, neutral in nature; traditionally clears the liver, brightens the eyes, and dispels foul odours.
- Grass carp tail (yu wei): Pan-fried first for fragrance; gives the soup body and a savoury sweetness.
- Lean pork: Adds nourishment and a rounded flavour.
- Ginger: Warms the dish and balances the cool fish.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua) | ~75 g (2 liang) | |
| Grass carp tail | 1 piece | |
| Lean pork | ~150 g (4 liang) | Sliced |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices |
Method
- Rinse the jasmine flowers; slice the lean pork.
- Clean the grass carp tail and pan-fry in a little oil until fragrant.
- Add all ingredients to about 5 cups of water and simmer roughly 20 minutes, until reduced to 4 bowls.
- Serve, eating the soup and the ingredients together.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is delicious and suitable for the whole family, young and old. It is also said to help children with whooping cough and wheezing. Adding tofu makes it even better. If you cannot find night-blooming jasmine, spearmint (the kind used in Vietnamese and Thai cooking), or coriander and spring onion, can stand in to help freshen the breath.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Can I use another fish, or a big fish head — is the effect the same? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use other fish or a big fish head, no problem.
- Q (yoyo): Can pregnant women eat night-blooming jasmine? Bro Niu: Yes, it is fine to eat night-blooming jasmine during pregnancy.
- Q (wa): Can I add tofu to this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add tofu — it makes the benefit even better.
Published June 13, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
