Soups
Codonopsis, Hyacinth Bean, Lotus Seed and Mudfish Soup
Supports spleen and stomach function, promotes healthy digestion
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu spotted a fresh haul of mudfish at the market — plump, gleaming, and priced at a very friendly 48 dollars a jin. Mudfish makes a beautifully clean, sweet broth no matter what you pair it with, but today he teamed it up with a classic group of strengthening herbs. The result is a light, nourishing soup that in traditional food therapy is associated with supporting the digestive system — something that matters for growing children who seem to eat but not absorb, and for adults who feel tired even after a full meal.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for children with poor appetite or weak digestion, and adults who feel easily fatigued or bloated after eating; safe for the whole family
- Not suitable for anyone with habitual constipation — the astringent quality of lotus seed, fox nut, and hyacinth bean may worsen this condition
- Infants under 8 months: if skipping all dried herbs, a simple fresh fish broth with vegetable additions is safe; for children under 2, omit the Chinese medicinal herbs entirely
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Codonopsis root (dang shen): One of the most commonly used qi-tonifying herbs in everyday cooking; traditionally associated with supporting energy levels and strengthening the middle burner (digestive centre)
- Stir-fried hyacinth bean (chao bian dou): Roasting the beans before use is said to enhance their spleen-supporting quality and reduce dampness in the digestive system; traditionally associated with loose stools and digestive sluggishness
- Lotus seed (lian zi): Sometimes called “the fruit of the spleen” in classical texts; associated with calming the digestive system and, in women, reducing excess leucorrhoea caused by damp-heat
- Gordon euryale seed (qian shi): A close partner of lotus seed, traditionally used to tonify the kidneys, firm up essence, and stop diarrhoea; also associated with reducing dampness
- Red dates (hong zao): A gentle sweetener and qi-builder that rounds out the whole formula
- Mudfish / loach (niu qiu yu): A lean, protein-rich fresh-water fish; in Cantonese food therapy it is considered mildly warming and nourishing, and gives this soup its natural sweetness
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Codonopsis root (dang shen) | 18 g (5 qian) | Sold in Chinese medicine shops |
| Stir-fried hyacinth bean (chao bian dou) | 37 g (1 liang) | Use the roasted variety |
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Gordon euryale seed (qian shi) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | 3 slices | |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 4 | Pitted |
| Mudfish or loach (niu qiu yu) | 1 whole | Scaled, cleaned; pan-fried first |
Method
- Scale and clean the mudfish thoroughly. Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the fish until golden and fragrant on both sides; set aside.
- Rinse all dried ingredients (codonopsis, hyacinth bean, lotus seed, fox nut) and soak briefly in cold water.
- Pit the red dates.
- Bring 8 bowls of water to a rolling boil in a soup pot.
- Add all ingredients — including the pan-fried fish — to the pot.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve the broth. You can also eat the soup ingredients alongside.
Bro Niu’s tips
If you want to eat the fish as well as drink the soup, place the pan-fried mudfish inside a muslin soup bag before adding it to the pot. After simmering, simply lift the bag out — the soup remains clear and the fish stays intact for eating. This soup is naturally sweet and suitable for all ages. Do not serve it to anyone prone to constipation.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): If I cannot find mudfish near my work, can I use grass carp or small red mullet instead? Bro Niu: Yes, grass carp or small red mullet both work fine — as long as the fish is fresh, that is all that matters.
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Q (reader): My baby is 16 months old. I want to make a spleen-strengthening soup for the whole family. Can I use this recipe? Bro Niu: Toddlers that young are better off without the stronger tonic herbs. However, yam (huai shan), lotus seeds, and lily bulb are gentle enough — pair them with a fresh fish and soft vegetable like a bottle gourd or chayote, and the whole family can enjoy it.
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Q (reader): Can I add yam and lily bulb to this recipe? Is it still suitable for a 16-month-old? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add yam and lily bulb. A toddler can drink this — but if the child tends toward constipation, hold back, because these ingredients have a binding effect on the bowels.
Published October 8, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
