Soups
Sea Solomon's Seal, Snow Ear Fungus, Cordyceps Spore and Lean Pork Soup
traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and support lung health
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu shares this recipe from personal experience: after pushing through a busy teaching schedule with a sore throat and dry cough, things got worse before they got better — lost voice, multiple rounds of antibiotics, and eventually the lingering sensitivity of an over-worked throat. What he learned the hard way is summed up in an old Chinese saying: “treat an illness while it is still shallow.” This soup was what he turned to while recovering — a nourishing, yin-moistening blend that helps when the throat and lungs feel parched and exhausted, especially during dry autumn and winter seasons or after illness. It is a gentle, savoury soup, not a medicine, but it is the kind of thing a caring Chinese household makes when someone has been pushing too hard.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well-suited for adults experiencing dryness in the throat, a lingering dry or irritating cough, hoarseness, or general fatigue after respiratory illness.
- Also pleasant as a preventive tonic during dry weather or periods of heavy voice use (teachers, singers, presenters).
- No strong cautions; suitable for most constitutions. Those who find it difficult to source cordyceps spores can substitute cordyceps flower (chong cao hua) at a similar quantity.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu): A variety of Polygonatum (huang jing family), traditionally considered to nourish yin, clear heat, and generate fluids. Bro Niu notes it has no sour taste unlike some varieties, and blends well in soup. It is said to harmonise the flow of qi and blood.
- Snow ear fungus (xue er / Tremella fuciformis): A mild, gelatinous white fungus prized in Chinese cuisine for its association with moistening the lungs and skin. Rich in polysaccharides.
- Cordyceps spores (chong cao bao zi): The spore-form of the cordyceps fungus, considered more accessible in price than whole cordyceps. Traditionally associated with supporting lung and kidney function.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish the liver and kidneys; add gentle sweetness.
- Southern dates (nan zao): Milder than regular red dates; support qi and the digestive system without being overly warming.
- Lean pork: Provides protein and a savoury depth; also traditionally considered to nourish yin.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) | 38 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Snow ear fungus (xue er) | 11 g (3 qian) | Soak until soft, remove tough base, tear into pieces |
| Cordyceps spores (chong cao bao zi) | 19 g (5 qian) | Rinse |
| Goji berries | 11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Southern dates (nan zao) | 4 pieces | |
| Lean pork | 300 g | Slice; blanch briefly in boiling water, drain |
| Water | 7–8 bowls (~1.5 L) | Start with cold water |
Method
- Slice the pork and blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and set aside.
- Rinse sea Solomon’s seal, goji berries, and southern dates.
- Soak the snow ear fungus in cold water until fully expanded (about 20–30 minutes). Remove the tough yellow base and tear into smaller pieces.
- Rinse cordyceps spores.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with 7–8 bowls of cold water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer.
- Cook for approximately 1.5 hours until you have about 4 bowls of liquid.
- Serve and eat both the soup and the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Bro Niu’s general advice for cooking Chinese herbal soups applies here: start with cold water rather than boiling water. Some ingredients contain proteins that lock up quickly in boiling water, making it harder for the beneficial compounds to dissolve into the broth. If you cannot find cordyceps spores, cordyceps flower (chong cao hua, available at most Chinese herb shops) works as a substitute — a loosely-packed handful is about the right amount. This soup is gentle enough for regular use during dry seasons.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Vicky): How much is 5 qian of cordyceps flower? Is a handful in one hand enough? Bro Niu: About 20 grams, which is roughly a small loosely-held handful. This is food therapy for general wellness, not a strict prescription, so a little more or less does not matter much.
-
Q (田): I have had a tickly sensitive cough for three weeks with lots of white phlegm; I feel very cold-bodied. Multiple doctors have not helped. Can you suggest anything? Bro Niu: I would suggest seeing a Chinese medicine practitioner. In the meantime, try Sichuan fritillary bulb (chuan bei) powder — about 11 g (3 qian) — with one apple and a piece of dried tangerine peel, simmered in 5 bowls of water down to 2, taken for 3 days. It may help calm a sensitive airway.
Published November 4, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
