Soups
Fresh Yam, Lotus Seed and Codonopsis Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to support qi and blood and rebuild strength after illness or surgery
Why people make this soup
Fresh lotus seeds and fresh Chinese yam are lovely for soups and stir-fries alike. Bro Niu pairs them here with codonopsis and red dates over a light chicken base. This is the kind of restoring soup he turns to for people who feel depleted after an illness or operation: low energy, run-down, weak, poor appetite. It is traditionally used to support the spleen, boost qi, and gently rebuild strength.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People recovering from illness or surgery with low energy and poor appetite; also well suited to women rebuilding after childbirth.
- For very young children (around 14 months), skip the codonopsis and use the milder tai zi shen instead. After surgery, it’s wise to avoid “trigger foods” (shrimp, crab, bamboo shoots, beef, goose, etc.) for a while.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh yam (huai shan): traditionally used to support the spleen and replenish qi.
- Fresh lotus seeds (lian zi): associated with supporting the spleen and calming the spirit.
- Codonopsis (dang shen): a gentle qi tonic, classically used to support the spleen and energy and help “build blood.”
- Red dates (hong zao): support the spleen and nourish blood.
- Chicken (ji ke / breast): a light, clean protein base; a chicken carcass keeps the soup fragrant and low in fat.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~150 g (4 taels) | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Fresh lotus seeds | ~75 g (2 taels) | De-core |
| Codonopsis | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse and soak |
| Red dates | 8 | Rinse and soak |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | — |
| Chicken carcass / breast | 1 | Blanch first |
Method
- Blanch the chicken carcass; peel and cut the fresh yam; de-core the fresh lotus seeds; rinse and soak the codonopsis and red dates.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours, reducing to 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat some of the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
A chicken carcass (the de-fleshed bone frame) keeps the soup fragrant and not too fatty; chicken breast also works well. This soup is also very suitable for postpartum recovery. Both fresh yam and fresh lotus seeds are available at Chinese or Asian grocers when in season.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Jenn): Does this soup have to use fresh yam and fresh lotus seeds to work? Can I use dried? Bro Niu: Dried yam and dried lotus seeds are fine, no problem.
- Q (Poon): If I use chicken breast, do I still need to blanch it? (Sorry, I’m a beginner.) Bro Niu: Any meat is best blanched first — but start it in cold water over low heat, and skim it off the moment foam appears, so you don’t lose the meat’s savory compounds.
- Q (winnie): Can I add dried conch meat to this chicken soup, and can a 14-month-old baby drink it? Bro Niu: You can add dried conch. For a 14-month-old, don’t use ginseng-type herbs — swap the codonopsis for the gentler tai zi shen.
Published October 17, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
