Shiitake Mushroom, Soybean, Red-Skin Peanut and Hairy Gourd Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo has often noticed that older East Asian women tend to have smoother, less wrinkled skin than their Western counterparts at the same age — and believes this may be partly due to diet. Soybeans, peanuts, and shiitake mushrooms are staples of Cantonese home cooking, and their collective nutritional richness is remarkable: polysaccharides that support the immune system and liver, phytoestrogens and isoflavones that support skin health, plant-based iron for blood building. The red skin of the peanuts is especially valued — it contains condensed tannins and polyphenols associated with supporting platelet function and nourishing the blood.

Hairy gourd (jie gua), a mild, lightly sweet squash used throughout Cantonese cooking, brings a cooling, water-regulating quality that balances the richness of the legumes and mushrooms. This is a straightforward vegetarian soup — beautifully flavoured without any meat — and easy enough to become a weekday staple.

Method

1. Soak the shiitake mushrooms in cold water until soft (20–30 minutes). Discard the stems; keep the soaking liquid if clean.
2. Soak the soybeans and peanuts in cold water for 30 minutes; drain and rinse. Keep the red peanut skins on.
3. Lightly scrape the skin from the hairy gourds with a vegetable peeler and cut into chunks. Do not peel too deeply — the flesh just below the skin is sweet and tender.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.1–2.4 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
6. Cook for 1 hour until the beans are soft and the broth is fragrant and slightly thickened.
7. Serve warm and eat both the broth and the vegetables.

Nourilo’s Tips

The red skin on the peanuts is the most important part — do not remove it. It contains the blood-nourishing compounds and is particularly beneficial for women and for those with low platelet counts. For women, this soup is suitable before and after menstruation. This soup can also be made with the addition of fish tail or corn for extra nutrition and sweetness.