Soups
Burdock Snow-Fungus Fig Pork-Bone Soup (niu bang xue er wu hua guo xi shi gu tang)
Traditionally clears heat and soothes the throat and lungs
Why people make this soup
Summer burdock is at its most fragrant, and Bro Niu prefers the slender roots for their deeper aroma. In tradition, burdock clears heat and soothes the throat and voice. He pairs it with snow fungus, fig, carrot and pork-shoulder bone into a sweet, comforting pot that suits anyone who has overdone the fried, “heaty” foods, or whose throat feels dry and scratchy after a cold.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits the whole family; especially nice after fried/greasy food or when the throat feels dry after a cold.
- Burdock is fairly cooling — if your spleen and stomach run cold, add a couple of slices of ginger and a piece of aged tangerine peel, or have it less often.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Burdock (niu bang): traditionally clears heat and soothes the throat and voice.
- Snow fungus (xue er): traditionally moistens and nourishes the lungs.
- Fig (wu hua guo): traditionally moistens the throat and adds natural sweetness.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): traditionally balances and harmonizes the soup.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh burdock root | 1–2 roots | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Snow fungus | 2 qian (~7.5 g) | soaked, stem removed |
| Dried figs | 3–4 pieces | |
| Carrot | 1 | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Pork shoulder bone | ~300 g | blanched |
Method
- Blanch the pork-shoulder bone. Peel and chunk the burdock and carrot. Soak the snow fungus until soft, remove the stem and rinse.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to 4–5 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and good for the whole family. Burdock runs cooling, so for those who tend to feel cold, add ginger and a piece of aged tangerine peel and simmer a full long-boil; carrot does not “scatter qi” (only white radish does), so it’s a friendly everyday partner.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Can I use white radish instead of carrot? Bro Niu: Yes, white radish works.
- Q (hing): Can pregnant women drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can drink this soup.
- Q (Kiki): Is this suitable for people with eczema to drink regularly? Does burdock have a mild laxative effect? Bro Niu: Burdock is fairly cooling, so those with a cold spleen and stomach shouldn’t use it too often, or should add jujube and ginger. People with skin conditions can use it.
Published July 11, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
