Soups
Mini Coconut, Snow Fungus and Free-Range Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin, support the complexion and replenish after illness
Why people make this soup
While buying red dates, the shopkeeper showed Bro Niu some fresh Indian mini coconuts, even cutting them open so he could check the flesh was snow-white and mold-free before paying — wise, since shipping time can hide spoilage inside an intact-looking shell. He bought two, both clean and fragrant, and simmered them with snow fungus, carrot and red dates over free-range chicken. The result is made to nourish the complexion, moisten the skin, support yin and the kidneys, clear dryness-heat and gently replenish — just the thing for dry weather.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those with dry skin, a dull complexion, or feeling depleted after childbirth or illness; gentle enough for any season.
- Not suitable for those who still have an active, unresolved cold.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Mini coconut (mi ni ye zi): lends a clean fragrance and sweetness, traditionally moistening.
- Snow fungus (xue er): traditionally nourishes yin and moistens the skin.
- Free-range chicken (zou di ji): traditionally replenishes deficiency.
- Carrot (hong luo bo) and red dates (hong zao): traditionally nourish the liver, the blood and the complexion.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mini coconut (mi ni ye zi) | 1 | Cut into chunks, rinse |
| Snow fungus (xue er) | ~11 g | Soak soft, remove stem |
| Carrot (hong luo bo) | 1 | Peel, cut into chunks |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 5 | Pitted |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | 2 slices | |
| Free-range chicken (zou di ji) | half | Chop into large pieces, blanch |
Method
- Cut the coconut into chunks and rinse; soak the snow fungus soft and remove the stem; peel and chunk the carrot; pit the red dates.
- Chop the chicken into large pieces and blanch.
- Combine everything with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 1.5 hours down to 4–5 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and tasty and suits all four seasons. It is especially nourishing for those with dry skin, a dull complexion, or who feel depleted after childbirth or illness. But skip it if you still have an unresolved cold.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous “Women”): Can I use dried coconut slices? My child may not drink the soup if there are too many hard coconut chunks — can I use papaya or another melon instead? Bro Niu: Dried coconut works too, and green papaya is even better.
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Q (Cindy): I am going to have a (traditional, non-keyhole) parathyroid removal. A friend says not to drink plain water after surgery, but fruit-peel water instead. Is that a custom? Any other soups, teas or foods to recover? Bro Niu: After surgery you can drink aged tangerine peel (chen pi) water for 3–4 days. Once you can take liquids, congee with ~19 g bei qi, dried scallop and tangerine peel can help wound healing; after 3–4 days a fresh fish soup with bei qi, dang shen, red dates and goji can nourish qi and blood. Day to day, go easy on white radish, peanuts and cabbage, which can affect thyroid-hormone reabsorption in the gut.
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Q (Yi-er): My 5-year-old has had a cold and runny nose for two weeks; the nose is better but there is still a little cough and phlegm. What can I make? Is hu ru ling zhi or African sea-coconut okay? Bro Niu: Hu ru ling zhi soup supports lung qi and helps ease cough and phlegm — fine as long as the child has no fever. For a heavy runny nose, steep 8 xin yi hua flowers with honey as a tea.
Published December 2, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
