Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Pork Shin Soup
Traditionally used to build strength and nourish the lungs, kidney and heart
Why people make this soup
As the weather cools, many older folk feel their bodies struggle to keep up, and old complaints — heart, lungs, liver, kidney — can flare. Winter is the season for tonifying, and Bro Niu likes to brew gentle, building soups now to lift the body’s resistance against flu and viruses. But heavy tonics like ginseng or deer antler do not suit everyone — careless tonifying can leave a weak constitution unable to “take” it. So he leans on mild, even-natured herbs with fresh ingredients. This pot is mild, barely “herbal” in taste, fragrant and pleasant — good not just for the middle-aged and elderly but for the young and children too.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those wanting to build strength gently: middle-aged, elderly, young adults and children alike.
- Traditionally also valued for poor sleep and an unsettled mood.
- Mild and even-natured, with little herbal taste.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): traditionally used to support the lungs and build the body; its goodness sits mostly in the top, so spore-head pieces are prized.
- Lotus seed (lian zi): traditionally strengthens the spleen and calms the spirit.
- Lily bulb (bai he): traditionally moistens the lungs and settles the mind.
- Poria (fu ling): traditionally strengthens the spleen and drains damp.
- Longan (yuan rou): traditionally nourishes the heart and the blood.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower | ~19 g | rinsed |
| Lotus seeds | ~38 g | soaked, washed |
| Dried lily bulb | ~38 g | soaked, washed |
| Poria | ~19 g | soaked, washed |
| Dried longan | ~19 g | rinsed |
| Pork shin | 1 piece | blanched |
Method
- Rinse the cordyceps flower.
- Separately soak and wash the lotus seeds, lily bulb and poria; rinse the longan.
- Cut the pork shin into pieces and blanch.
- Simmer everything in 9 bowls of water for 2 hours down to 4 bowls, and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
The cordyceps flower’s goodness concentrates in its top, so if you can find spore-head pieces, all the better. This soup is also traditionally valued by those who sleep poorly or feel emotionally unsettled.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Sun): Can I swap the cordyceps flower for true cordyceps in a double-boiled soup? Bro Niu: If your budget allows, of course — about 4 strands per bowl. It is far from cheap, mind you!
- Q (Bobo): What is the difference between the lotus seeds here and brown lotus seeds — can I use brown ones instead? Bro Niu: The fresh skin-on lotus seeds shown are much the same in effect as ordinary dried skin-on lotus seeds; fresh ones are just more fragrant and tender.
- Q (reader): Is deer antler suitable if I have facial pimples? Bro Niu: With facial pimples, clear heat and inflammation before tonifying. For example, sheng di 5 qian, mung bean ~38 g, one tangerine peel and 5 red dates in a young-pigeon soup helps reduce pimples.
Published November 18, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
