Soups
Sea Solomon's Seal, Lily Bulb, and Almond Partridge Soup
Traditionally supports lung qi, nourishes the respiratory system, and helps moisturise dry skin
Why people make this soup
When the weather turns dry and cold, soups made with poultry become a comfort staple in Cantonese homes. Partridge is prized in traditional food therapy for being gentler and less fatty than chicken, with a naturally sweet broth. Paired with sea Solomon’s seal and dried lily bulb — two classic moistening herbs — plus apricot kernels to support the lungs, this soup has long been simmered as a seasonal remedy for dry throat, nagging coughs, and skin that feels tight or parched. It is the kind of soup a thoughtful aunt would prepare when the air conditioning has been running all day or the weather has been unseasonably dry.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to those with a tendency toward dry coughs, weak lung qi, dry skin, restless sleep, or mild yin deficiency
- Safe for most of the family, including young children from about 18 months of age and pregnant women (partridge soup is considered safe during pregnancy)
- Do NOT serve to someone with an active cold, flu, or fever — warming nourishing soups can make it harder for the body to expel a pathogen; wait until the illness has cleared
- Those with an active cough and heavy phlegm should address the phlegm first before switching to nourishing soups like this one
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu): Sweet and slightly cold in nature; traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten the lungs and stomach, and ease dryness-related symptoms such as dry throat and thirst
- Dried lily bulb (bai he): Gentle and slightly cold; traditionally associated with calming the mind, moistening the lungs, and supporting restful sleep — often used for people who cough in the night
- Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing): The sweet kernels (nan xing) moisten and nourish; the bitter kernels (bei xing) help direct lung qi downward to relieve cough. Using both together is a classic Cantonese pairing. Bitter apricot kernels should be used in moderation and always cooked
- Partridge (zhe gu): Traditionally considered to nourish the five organ systems, strengthen the constitution, and produce a clear, sweet broth without excess fat; can be substituted with quail if partridge is unavailable — both are similarly beneficial
- Red dates (hong zao): Warm and sweet; used to strengthen the spleen and stomach and harmonise the other ingredients
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the middle, counters the mildly cool nature of the other ingredients, and adds fragrance
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) | 18 g (5 qian) | Available at Chinese herbal medicine shops |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly before use |
| Sweet and bitter apricot kernels (nan bei xing, mixed) | 37 g (1 liang) | Pre-mixed bags available at herbal shops |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | No need to peel |
| Red dates | 6 pieces | Pitted |
| Partridge | 1 whole bird | Ask the butcher to clean and cut into pieces; blanch before use |
| Water | 8 bowls (approx. 2 litres) | Simmers down to about 4 bowls |
Method
- Rinse the partridge, cut into pieces, and blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Rinse all the dried herbs and soak briefly in cold water to soften. Drain.
- Place all ingredients — partridge, Solomon’s seal, lily bulb, apricot kernels, ginger, and red dates — into a soup pot with 8 bowls of cold water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 2 hours until the liquid has reduced to approximately 4 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve the soup and eat the tender partridge meat and soft dates.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is a light and moistening soup that the whole family can enjoy. Beyond the lungs, it also traditionally supports people with yin deficiency, dry skin, or restless, dream-filled sleep. If you cannot find fresh or frozen partridge, quail makes a fine substitute — the flavour and food-therapy qualities are quite similar. Fresh partridge can sometimes be found at specialty supermarkets or certain Chinese grocery chains; if unavailable locally, a frozen imported bird will do the job.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (scy): Bro Niu, if partridge is hard to find, can quail be used as a substitute in all partridge soup recipes? Bro Niu: Yes, quail works well as a substitute. Both partridge and quail are traditionally said to benefit the five organ systems, so the nourishing effect is quite comparable.
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Q (reader, 2016): If I replace the partridge with free-range chicken, will the soup still have a yin-nourishing effect? And can it be taken during menstruation? Bro Niu: You can replace the partridge with silkie chicken (black-bone chicken) for a yin-nourishing effect. The soup is fine to drink during menstruation.
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Q (reader, 2014): My child is 3 years old. I currently have a cold with coughing and breathlessness. Would this soup suit me? Bro Niu: This soup is not suitable while you have a cold, as it may allow the pathogen to linger. Wait until you have recovered. However, your child — without a fever — can drink it for general nourishment.
Published December 23, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
