Soups
Lotus Root, Black Bean & Dried Octopus Pork Rib Soup
supports postpartum recovery and lactation
Why people make this soup
Many new mothers find that milk supply is affected by uneven nutrition, stress, or insufficient sleep after delivery. Traditional food therapy views this soup as a gentle way to nourish the body during the postpartum period. The combination of lotus root, black beans, and dried octopus has long been prepared in Cantonese households as a wholesome meal to support recovery. Bro Niu has shared this recipe because it doubles as a flavourful, everyday soup that the whole family can enjoy — not just the new mother.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for new mothers from around day one after natural delivery; after caesarean, wait until lochial flow is moving freely before drinking
- Suitable for the whole family as a nutritious everyday soup
- Those with shellfish or seafood allergies should avoid or omit the dried octopus
- Pregnant women in the first trimester may drink this soup in moderation; those with skin conditions or known seafood sensitivities should reduce the octopus quantity
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus root (lian ou): Traditionally associated with clearing heat, cooling the blood, and supporting the spleen and stomach. The starch-rich root also provides carbohydrate energy during recovery.
- Black soybeans with green inner skin (qing ren hei dou): Used in traditional food therapy to nourish the kidneys and blood. Rich in plant protein and iron.
- Dried octopus (zhang yu): A classic ingredient in Cantonese postpartum cooking, valued for its reputed ability to support the production and flow of breast milk.
- Red dates (hong zao): Traditionally used to tonify the blood and calm the spirit.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the stomach and helps drive away wind; use in modest amounts in the early postpartum days.
- Pork ribs (pai gu): Provide protein, collagen, and minerals, making the broth rich and sustaining.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root | ~600 g | Peeled and cut into chunks |
| Black soybeans (green inner skin) | ~40 g | Soaked and rinsed |
| Dried octopus | ~75 g | Rinsed, blanched |
| Pork ribs | ~300 g | Blanched to remove impurities |
| Red dates | 6 pieces | Pitted |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 L) |
Method
- Peel the lotus root, wash thoroughly and cut into chunks.
- Soak the black soybeans in water for 30 minutes, then rinse well.
- Pit the red dates.
- Rinse the dried octopus, then blanch it together with the pork ribs in boiling water for a few minutes; drain and set aside.
- Place all ingredients into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Serve the soup with the solids — the lotus root and black beans in particular are worth eating.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is fragrant and lightly sweet — a pleasure to eat, not a medicine to endure. Besides supporting the new mother, it is a good source of calcium, iron, and phosphorus, and is associated in traditional food therapy with nourishing the blood and supporting skin health. Drinking 2 to 3 times a week during the postpartum period is considered sufficient.
If lotus root is unavailable in your area, Bro Niu suggests substituting chayote (he zhang gua) or fuzzy melon (jie gua) — both are thought to support the spleen and add nutrition to the broth.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Loklok): I had a caesarean delivery two weeks ago — can I drink this? And since it has ginger, is that a problem? Bro Niu: For a caesarean birth, only avoid using large amounts of ginger in the very first few days, to prevent excessive bleeding from the ginger’s qi-moving effect. From the second week onwards, a small amount is perfectly fine. If you are still concerned, you can replace the ginger with one piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi).
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Q (Tracy): Can I drink this on the very first day after a caesarean? Bro Niu: Wait until the breast milk is starting to flow freely before drinking this soup.
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Q (Ruby): I am 32 weeks pregnant — is it okay to drink the lotus root, octopus and black bean soup? Bro Niu: Yes, in the later stages of pregnancy you can drink this soup.
Published August 5, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
