Soups
Night-Blooming Jasmine, Goji Berry and Fresh Fish Soup
traditionally supports liver qi, helps clear the eyes, and nourishes postpartum or post-surgery recovery
Why people make this soup
Every year between May and August, the fragrant white clusters of night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua) come into season — available at Chinese and Asian grocers for stir-fries and soups. The flowers traditionally clear liver heat and brighten the eyes; a fresh, mild-fleshed sea fish provides high-quality protein for recovery; and goji berries add classic liver-and-kidney nourishing support. The result is naturally sweet, delicate, and genuinely satisfying.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and older children, particularly those experiencing eye discomfort, eye fatigue, or conjunctivitis-type symptoms.
- A gentle, nourishing choice for women pre- and postpartum.
- Well suited to people recovering from surgery or illness who need easily absorbed protein without heavy or rich ingredients.
- Night-blooming jasmine stir-fried with eggs is a traditional home remedy for women’s dizziness and headache — the flower has wide application in Cantonese food therapy.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua, Telosma cordata): Available fresh in season (May–August). Traditionally used to clear liver heat, clear the eyes, and support resolution of eye conditions such as conjunctivitis. The stir-fried flower is used for women’s dizziness or “wind headache.”
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): One of the most widely used ingredients in Chinese food therapy for supporting the liver and kidneys, brightening and strengthening the eyes, and supplementing blood. Pairs naturally with fish in broth.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Used here primarily to remove fishiness and warm the stomach, rather than for its heat-clearing role. Can be used only for frying the fish and removed before adding the soup ingredients if preferred.
- Fresh sea fish: Fish with a white, firm, sweet flesh — horse-head fish, sea bass, or similar small sea fish — is ideal. Pan-frying before adding water creates a rich, milky broth naturally.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh night-blooming jasmine (ye xiang hua) | ~113 g | Remove stems; use flowers only |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~11 g | Rinse briefly |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | For frying and adding to pot |
| Small sea fish (horse-head, sea bass, etc.) | ~450 g | Cleaned; pan-fry in a little oil until golden |
| Water | 6 bowls (~1.1 L), boiling | Add boiling water to the fried fish |
Method
- Wash the night-blooming jasmine flowers, remove the stems, and set aside.
- Rinse the goji berries.
- Clean and score the fish; pat dry if needed.
- Heat a wok or saucepan over medium-high heat with a little oil. Pan-fry the fish with the ginger slices until golden on both sides and fragrant.
- Carefully pour in 6 bowls of boiling water and the ginger. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 20 minutes on high heat — this creates the characteristic milky white broth.
- Remove the fish bones if desired (they will loosen naturally after this boiling). Add the night-blooming jasmine flowers and goji berries.
- Cook for a further 10 minutes. Season lightly with salt. Serve immediately.
Bro Niu’s tips
After boiling the fish vigorously, the meat and bones will naturally separate. Skim out the loose bones before adding the flowers, so you can eat the soup with the flowers and goji berries comfortably. Night-blooming jasmine is only available fresh in season; if you cannot find it, this soup can be made with other leafy greens, though the traditional eye-supporting benefit will differ. If someone at the table has eye inflammation, you can sear the ginger separately and not add it to the pot — keep the soup itself cool and clear.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Suki): Online sources say people with eye inflammation shouldn’t eat ginger. Is this true? Should I leave ginger out? Bro Niu: You can use ginger when frying the fish to remove the fishy smell — just don’t add it to the soup pot itself. That way the soup stays clear and cooling.
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Q (JK): My mother has severe diabetes and just had cataract surgery under general anaesthesia. What soups do you recommend? Bro Niu: First make white radish and dried tangerine peel broth to help clear the anaesthetic. After that, use fresh yam, goji berries, and corn (with silk) to make a lean pork soup — this helps nourish the liver, support the spleen, and manage blood sugar.
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Q (Kathy): Can this be taken after a caesarean section? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable after a caesarean delivery.
Published June 2, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
