Soups
Snow Ear Fungus, Flower Mushroom, Cashew and Mountain Chicken Soup
May support bone nourishment and yin deficiency
Why people make this soup
Some people find that rich tonic soups make them feel hot and restless — what traditional Chinese food therapy calls “internal heat from yin deficiency.” This is common in women and in anyone who has been chronically overworked or unwell. Rather than forcing strong tonics that backfire, Bro Niu reaches for gentler, yin-nourishing ingredients. This soup builds qi and blood without stoking that internal fire, and mountain chicken (pheasant) is specifically prized in Cantonese cooking for strengthening sinew and bone — a welcome combination for those worried about bone density.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to those with yin-deficient constitution: easily flushed, dry mouth, or who flare up after eating overly warming foods; also helpful after illness or prolonged fatigue
- Those concerned about bone health who want a food-based complement to their care plan
- Safe during pregnancy and postpartum (Bro Niu confirmed both)
- If you currently have a cold, flu, or active external infection, wait until you have recovered before drinking this soup
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Snow ear fungus (xue er): A classical yin-nourishing ingredient, traditionally associated with moistening the lungs, supporting blood, and benefiting the complexion
- Flower mushrooms (hua gu): A premium dried shiitake variety with a richer aroma; traditionally viewed as tonifying for the spleen and stomach
- Soybeans (huang dou): Associated with supporting kidney function and enriching the blood in traditional food therapy
- Cashew nuts (yao guo): Traditionally used to strengthen the bones and sinews; also lend a pleasant creamy sweetness to the broth
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Mildly lubricating, support the digestive system; can be replaced with red dates (hong zao) or southern dates (nan zao)
- Mountain chicken / pheasant (shan ji): Described in classical texts as warming and nourishing for the tendons and bones; free-range chicken (zou di ji) or silkie chicken (zhu si ji) are good substitutes
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Snow ear fungus (xue er) | ~8 g (2 qian) | Soak until soft, remove stem |
| Flower mushrooms (hua gu) | 6 dried pieces | Soak until soft, remove stem |
| Soybeans (huang dou) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Cashew nuts (yao guo) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Whole; or substitute red/southern dates |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | — |
| Mountain chicken / pheasant (shan ji) | half bird | Blanch first; substitute free-range or silkie chicken |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 L) | — |
Method
- Soak the snow ear fungus and flower mushrooms in separate bowls of cold water until fully soft, about 20–30 minutes. Remove and discard the tough stems.
- Rinse the soybeans and cashew nuts, and soak briefly.
- Blanch the chicken: place the chicken pieces in cold water, bring to a boil, then discard the blanching water and rinse the chicken clean.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 1.6 L) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2 hours until reduced to approximately 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the solid ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Mountain chicken is traditionally valued for strengthening tendons and bones, and Bro Niu considers it especially suitable for people with osteoporosis to enjoy regularly. If you cannot find fresh or frozen pheasant, free-range chicken (zou di ji) or silkie chicken (zhu si ji) are excellent alternatives and available in most Asian grocery stores. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with carrot and extra soybeans.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Louisa): Can I replace the snow ear fungus with black wood ear mushroom (hei mu er)? Bro Niu: Yes, black wood ear mushroom works fine as a substitute.
-
Q (tweety): If I don’t have dried figs, what can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can use red dates (hong zao) or southern dates (nan zao) in place of the figs.
-
Q (Yin Yin): If I’m vegetarian, what can replace the chicken? Bro Niu: For a vegetarian version, use yellow soybeans and carrot to replace the chicken.
Published March 11, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
