Shredded Chicken and Snake Thick Soup (Se Gang)

Why people make this thick soup

Making shredded-chicken-and-snake thick soup at home lets you control the quality and keep it clean — no hidden lard and a broth simmered the way you want it. The secret is the stock, built from old hen, pork bones and Jinhua ham, and a generous mix of shredded fillings — black wood ear, bamboo shoot, dried shiitake, fish maw, chicken and tangerine peel — finished with whisper-thin lemon-leaf shreds scattered on top. The result is a rich, satisfying pot plenty big enough to share. Source the snake meat from a reputable, licensed vendor.