Soups
Chinese Yam, Goji & Fresh Abalone Chicken Soup
Traditionally nourishes, brightens the eyes and supports healthy blood sugar
Why people make this soup
A relative brought back a big box of green-lip abalone from Australia — these frozen fresh abalone are getting pricier and have become quite the banquet treat. Double-boiled, they make a marvellously savoury soup, and afterwards you can slice and eat the abalone too, with a lovely texture. In food tradition, abalone is associated with nourishing the body and supporting the eyes, and is comforting for people who feel depleted or get frequent dizziness and headaches. Paired with Chinese yam, goji and chicken, it makes a nourishing soup people enjoy for the complexion, the eyes, and to support steady blood sugar.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People watching blood sugar; those who feel depleted, or whose eyesight feels weaker; suitable for the whole family.
- This is a supportive food, not a treatment — keep following your doctor and any prescribed medication.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh abalone (xian bao): Traditionally associated with nourishing the body and supporting the eyes; comforting for those who feel weak or dizzy.
- Chinese yam (huai shan): Traditionally supports the spleen and steady energy.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Long valued for nourishing the body and supporting the eyes.
- Free-range chicken (zou di ji): Adds nourishing, savoury body.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh (frozen) abalone | 1 | Cleaned, gutted, blanched |
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~38 g | Soaked, rinsed |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~15 g | Soaked, rinsed |
| Free-range chicken | Half | Cut up, blanched |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Boiling water | 6 bowls |
Method
- Clean the fresh abalone, remove the gut, and blanch. Soak and rinse the Chinese yam and goji. Cut the chicken into pieces and blanch.
- Put everything into a double-boiling vessel and pour in 6 bowls of boiling water.
- Double-boil about 3 hours. Eat the soup with the solids.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is savoury and suits the whole family, and is good for people with diabetes and weakening eyesight. No double-boiler? You can simply simmer the ingredients as a regular soup — no problem. If using an electric double-boiler there’s no need to top up water; if double-boiling over water on the stove, top up with hot (not cold) water as needed.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (yy): Can I use silkie (black) chicken? Would the effect differ? For 3 to 4 servings, how much water and how long? Bro Niu: You can use half a silkie chicken instead. Use 8 bowls of water, simmer 2 hours down to 4 bowls.
- Q (Xue): I don’t have a double-boiler — can I just simmer it directly? Bro Niu: Without a double-boiler you can simmer the ingredients as a regular soup — no problem.
- Q (passerby): Six bowls of water for three hours — do I need to add water during cooking? Bro Niu: With an electric double-boiler there’s no need; the water inside doesn’t really evaporate. If you double-boil over water on the stove, you do need to top up — but always with hot water.
Published May 10, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
