Soups
Tu Fuling, Old Cucumber & Red Bean Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat, drain dampness, and support the body after a cold that lingers
Why people make this soup
The wet, muggy months in southern China and Hong Kong are classically associated with what Chinese medicine calls “dampness and heat” accumulating in the body — a pattern that can show up as fatigue, heavy limbs, poor digestion, skin breakouts, or a persistent low-grade feeling of not quite being well. Tu fuling (smilax rhizome) is one of the strongest heat-clearing, detoxifying herbs in the Cantonese culinary medicine tradition. Paired with old yellow cucumber — riper and more therapeutic than young green cucumber — and two kinds of beans to help the body drain excess dampness, this is a soup Bro Niu turns to regularly during rainy seasons. It is also useful when a cold or flu has passed but you still feel tired and heavy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults, elderly people, and children over about 2 years
- Pregnant women may drink this (Bro Niu has confirmed this in Q&A)
- People with a cold or deficient constitution should add extra ginger and tangerine peel to warm the formula
- Those without tu fuling may substitute regular poria mushroom (fu ling), though note the effects differ: tu fuling specifically clears heat and detoxifies, while fu ling strengthens the spleen and drains dampness through a different pathway
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Tu fuling (Smilax glabra rhizome): A key herb in Cantonese cooling soups; in Chinese medicine it clears heat, eliminates dampness, and is associated with detoxification; traditionally used for damp-heat patterns affecting the skin and joints
- Old yellow cucumber (lao huang gua): The fully ripened form of cucumber; more cooling and medicinal than its young green counterpart; traditionally used to clear heat, promote urination, and relieve toxicity
- Red adzuki beans (chi xiao dou): A mild but reliable herb-food for draining dampness through the urine and supporting the spleen
- White flat beans (bian dou): Toasted flat beans strengthen the spleen and drain dampness more gently; a standard Cantonese soup ingredient for muggy weather
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Warms and moves qi in the digestive system; reduces bloating and prevents the soup from becoming overly cooling
- Lean pork: Provides a neutral, mildly nourishing base
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tu fuling (smilax rhizome) | 38 g (1 liang) | Use up to 75 g if fresh |
| Old yellow cucumber | 1 medium | Wash, remove seeds and pith, cut into chunks |
| Red adzuki beans | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak briefly before cooking |
| White flat beans (bian dou) | 38 g (1 liang) | Toasted (chao) preferred; soak briefly |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soak to soften, then scrape off pith |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Lean pork | ~450 g (12 taels) | |
| Water | 10 bowls |
Method
- Soak and rinse the tu fuling, adzuki beans, flat beans, and tangerine peel separately.
- Wash the old cucumber, scoop out the seeds and soft inner pith, and cut into large chunks.
- Place all ingredients together in a pot with 10 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt and serve warm. The whole family can share this soup.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is excellent for people who feel heavy, sluggish, or mentally foggy during the rainy season. It is also a good choice if a cold has passed but you still feel worn out and lacking energy. If you cannot find old yellow cucumber, a pound of winter melon (dong gua) with skin on makes a suitable substitute, especially in summer. If you only have green cucumber, it still works but is less therapeutic than the ripened yellow variety.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (scy): If I don’t have tu fuling, can I use regular fu ling (poria)? Bro Niu: They are different herbs. Tu fuling clears heat and detoxifies; fu ling strengthens the spleen and drains dampness. You can use fu ling, but the effect will not be identical. Regarding the flat beans — lightly toasted flat beans have a stronger spleen-strengthening effect.
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Q (Rainbow, from Vancouver): Old yellow cucumber is not available here. Can I use regular cucumber or something else? Bro Niu: Without old cucumber, use a pound of winter melon with the skin on — it is well suited for clearing summer heat. Regular green cucumber is a reasonable substitute but less potent.
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Q (anonymous, post-illness): I had a sore throat and fever; took Western medicine and the fever broke, but now I feel weak all over and a little hot without a real fever. Can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, please go ahead and make this soup — the lingering fatigue is likely because the cold has not fully cleared. Drink 2 servings and keep your diet light and simple.
Published May 4, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
