Snow Ear Fungus, Lily Bulb, Goji Berry and Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Surveys suggest that a significant proportion of Hong Kong’s working population experiences what used to be called “nervous exhaustion” — a pattern of chronic fatigue, disrupted sleep, heart palpitations, and heightened anxiety driven by overwork, poor rest, and sustained stress. The term may sound old-fashioned, but the experience is very real. Traditional Chinese food therapy addresses this through a category of ingredients that “calm the heart and settle the spirit” — and this soup draws on some of the most trusted of them.

Snow ear fungus (a close relative of the better-known tremella mushroom) is traditionally considered one of the finest foods for nourishing yin and moistening both the lungs and skin. Lily bulb is a classical “spirit-calming” ingredient. Goji berries support the liver and kidneys. And silkie chicken — the dark-feathered, dark-fleshed bird prized in Chinese cooking — is traditionally considered gentler and more deeply nourishing than regular chicken, making it particularly appropriate for those in a depleted, fatigued state.

Method

1. Soak the snow ear fungus in cold water for 30 minutes until fully hydrated. Remove and discard the tough yellowish base. Tear or cut into smaller florets.
2. Separate the fresh lily bulb into petals and rinse clean.
3. Rinse the goji berries; pit the red dates.
4. Clean and chop the silkie chicken into large pieces. Blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes; drain and rinse.
5. Place the snow ear fungus, ginger slices, red dates, and silkie chicken pieces in a pot with 2.4–2.7 L of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
6. Simmer for 1.5 hours (90 minutes).
7. Add the fresh lily bulb and goji berries. Cook for a further 15 minutes until fragrant and tender.
8. The soup should reduce to approximately 1.2–1.5 L. Serve hot; eat the soup and all the solid ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is fragrant, lightly sweet, and genuinely delicious — everyone in the family can enjoy it. It is also beneficial for those with yin-deficient heat patterns, rough skin, or a dull complexion. For regular calming and sleep support, foods like wheat grain (xiao mai mi), sour jujube seed (suan zao ren), cypress seed (bai zi ren), longan flesh (yuan rou), and poria with wood (fu shen) are all useful additions to a weekly routine.