Lotus Root, Runner Bean, Dried Octopus, and Pork Bone Soup

The recipe yields approximately 1.2 to 1.5 litres, enough for 3 to 4 servings. Preparation takes around 20 minutes and the soup simmers for 2 hours, for a total time of about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Yes. The soup is described as particularly well-suited for postpartum mothers looking to support milk production and blood recovery, and is traditionally valued in Chinese food-therapy for blood nourishment and building general vitality.

The recipe specifically instructs you to serve and eat the solid ingredients — the lotus root, runner beans, and pork neck bones — alongside the broth, noting that eating them is part of the nourishing benefit.

Dried octopus is classified in Chinese food tradition as a 'fa wu', a food that may aggravate pre-existing skin conditions. If you have active eczema or psoriasis, the recipe recommends substituting dried scallop or dried mussel, both of which will still produce a deeply flavourful broth.

A clay pot is preferred because lotus root can cause iron and stainless steel cookware to darken the soup noticeably. The soup is still fine to eat in a regular pot — it is simply less visually appealing.