Chinese Yam, Chicken Gizzard & Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

In traditional Chinese food therapy, children are considered to have tender, still-developing constitutions — their digestive systems are easily overwhelmed, especially by rich or cold foods. When a little one sits at the table pushing rice around rather than eating it, many families turn to this simple, mild soup. The combination of Chinese yam (huai shan), chicken gizzard lining (ji nei jin), red dates, and lean pork is one of the most classic and affordable ways to gently support a child’s digestive health over time. This is not a quick fix — food therapy works gradually, so consistency matters more than urgency.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suited for children with poor appetite, slow eating, loose stools, or a pale, dull complexion
• Suitable for all ages including infants (serve an appropriate portion)
• Children with an active fever or acute illness should wait until they recover before taking tonifying soups like this one
• If the slight bitterness of chicken gizzard lining puts children off, add 2–3 honey dates (mi zao) instead of red dates to improve palatability

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Chinese yam (huai shan): One of the most widely used and gentle food-herbs for the digestive system in Chinese tradition. It is considered neutral in nature, nourishing, and suitable even for very young children. It is prized for supporting the spleen and stomach, and improving the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
• Chicken gizzard lining (ji nei jin): The dried inner lining of a chicken’s gizzard. A traditional aid for digestion and food stagnation — the stomach of the chicken naturally breaks down grains and seeds efficiently, and its lining has been used in Chinese food therapy for centuries to support digestive function in children and adults alike.
• Red dates (hong zao): Mildly sweet, considered nourishing to qi and blood. They also help balance the slight bitterness of the other ingredients, making the soup more appealing to children.
• Lean pork: Provides a savoury base, adds nutrition, and makes the soup palatable without being overly rich or stimulating.

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chinese yam, dried slices (huai shan)	4 slices (~30 g)	Soak and rinse before use
Chicken gizzard lining, dried (ji nei jin)	2 qian (~8 g)	Available at Chinese herbal shops; soak and rinse
Red dates (hong zao)	4 pieces	Remove pits
Lean pork	3 liang (~115 g)	Slice and blanch in boiling water first
Water	5 bowls (~1.25 L)	—

Method

1. Soak the dried yam slices and chicken gizzard lining in cold water for 10–15 minutes; rinse well.
2. Remove the pits from the red dates.
3. Slice the lean pork and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes; drain and rinse.
4. Combine all ingredients with 5 bowls of water in a pot.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 2 bowls.
6. Serve warm. Frequency: 2–3 times per week as a course of food therapy.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup is mild enough for regular use and is traditionally considered safe for extended periods. You can also cook it as a congee by adding millet (xiao mi) — millet is particularly valued in Chinese food therapy for its gentle action on the stomach and spleen. If the child finds the soup slightly bitter, swap the red dates for 3 honey dates (mi zao), or add a few drops of honey to their portion (not for children under 1 year old). For very young babies, the soup can be used as a base for diluted porridge.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): Can I replace the red dates with dried figs? Bro Niu: Yes, you can substitute about 3 dried figs for the red dates.

• Q (Liz): My 21-month-old has loose stools once or twice a day, seems thin, and doesn’t absorb well. Is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable. Additionally, try simmering minced fresh beef (about 115 g) in a large bowl of cool water overnight in the fridge, then steam the beef and soaking liquid together for 40 minutes the next day. Give the child the liquid throughout the day for 4–5 days — this is very supportive for absorption. For the loose stools, ground euryale seeds (qian shi) cooked into porridge can help firm things up.

• Q (Joyce): Can children with a fever have this soup? And can the chicken gizzard lining be cooked in rice instead? Bro Niu: Do not use tonifying ingredients like yam during a fever — wait until the fever resolves. The gizzard lining can be cooked in rice (just remove before serving), but the rice may taste a little unusual.

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Published April 23, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.