Soups
Tiger Milk Mushroom, Snow Fungus & Goji Soup
Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and support the body's defenses
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu once spotted whole tiger milk mushrooms — about the size of a ping-pong ball — at a dried-goods and herb shop. This prized fungus, grown mainly across Southeast Asia and nicknamed “Southeast Asian fu ling,” is rich in polysaccharides and is traditionally valued to support the body’s defenses and moisten the lungs. This soup pairs it with snow fungus and goji berries; it is traditionally taken by people feeling weak and depleted, including during radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who feel run-down and depleted; traditionally favored as supportive nourishment during radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Also traditionally used by those with stomach, liver, asthma or bronchial concerns
- Avoid during an active cold or fever — wait until the illness passes; this is supportive food, not a treatment, so follow your doctor’s care
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Tiger milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi): rich in polysaccharides; traditionally associated with supporting the body’s defenses and nourishing those who are weak
- Snow fungus (xue er): traditionally moistening for the lungs and skin
- Goji berry (gou qi zi): associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys
- Dried scallop (yao zhu): adds umami depth and gentle nourishment
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Snow fungus (xue er) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak, trim the hard base |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~15 g (4 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried scallop (yao zhu) | 4–5 pieces | Soak and rinse |
Method
- Soak and rinse all the ingredients; trim the hard base off the snow fungus.
- Put everything in a pot with about 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours, down to roughly 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is also traditionally enjoyed by those with stomach, liver, asthma or bronchial concerns. Red reishi (chi ling zhi) can stand in for tiger milk mushroom — it’s more bitter but well regarded.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (tong-tong’s mum): Can I leave out the dried scallop and use lean pork instead? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add lean pork; leaving out the dried scallop is fine.
- Q (reader): My younger sister has breast cancer and surgery in early June. Can she drink this tiger milk mushroom, snow fungus and goji soup after the operation? And is there a soup for before surgery? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable for breast cancer. Pumpkin stems are also traditionally favored — take the top of a whole pumpkin with the stem attached, use two, add 2 pieces of black fungus, and make a lean-pork soup, 5 bowls of water down to 2; drink the soup and eat the fungus. It can be used before and after surgery, twice a week; adding huang qi (astragalus) 19 g after surgery is even better.
- Q (reader): Can this soup be made with bamboo silkie chicken, dang shen and bei qi added? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add bei qi (astragalus), dang shen and silkie chicken.
Published August 25, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
