Soups
Solomon's Seal, Snow Fungus, Lotus Seed, Lily and Goji Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin and moisten dryness
Why people make this soup
Around the autumn solstice, even when Hong Kong is still hot, a few rounds of rain soon shift the air from muggy to dry and crisp. Bro Niu’s rule for autumn eating is simple: lean toward nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, and go easy on spicy, stimulating food so you don’t tip into “autumn dryness.” Solomon’s seal is his favourite here — it is traditionally used to ease dry cough, dry skin, an itchy throat and a parched mouth, and it nourishes gently without being heavy or harsh. This soup is a lovely way to nourish the body through autumn and winter.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling the dryness of autumn — dry throat, dry skin — and anyone who wants a calming soup that also supports sleep.
- Not suitable while you still have an unresolved cold or flu. Pregnant women should leave out the dried longan (yuan rou).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Solomon’s seal (yu zhu): Traditionally used to nourish yin and moisten dryness — gentle and not cloying, and considered kind to the stomach.
- Snow fungus (xue er): Long associated with moistening the lungs and nourishing the skin.
- Lotus seed and lily bulb (lian zi, bai he): Traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the mind, often welcomed by people who sleep poorly.
- Goji, longan and red dates (gou qi zi, yuan rou, hong zao): Traditionally used to nourish qi and blood and add natural sweetness.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon’s seal | ~19 g | rinsed |
| Snow fungus | ~11 g | soaked, stems removed |
| Lotus seeds | ~38 g | rinsed |
| Lily bulb | ~19 g | rinsed |
| Goji berries | ~11 g | rinsed |
| Dried longan | 10 pieces | |
| Red dates | 4 | pitted |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece |
Method
- Rinse and soak the ingredients separately; trim the stems from the snow fungus; pit the red dates.
- Place everything in a pot with 7 bowls of water.
- Cook for 45 minutes until reduced to about 3 bowls. Serve the soup together with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is fragrant and tasty, good for young and old. It also supports the skin and a calm mind, which makes it especially welcome for people who sleep poorly — but skip it while a cold or flu is still unresolved, and pregnant women should leave out the dried longan.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (yannis): Bro Niu, can people with gout drink this soup? Bro Niu: People with gout can have this soup. Generally beans, mushrooms, shellfish and animal organs are high in purines, so those are the ones gout sufferers should avoid.
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Q (Katie): For your fresh imperata-root and corn-silk tea you used 1 bundle of fresh imperata root and 2 taels of corn silk. What are the dried amounts? Bro Niu: Use 5 qian of dried imperata root (mao gen) and 5 qian of dried corn silk — that is enough.
Published August 6, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
