Chayote, Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

Chayote is one of Bro Niu’s favourite summer vegetables — mild, hydrating, and versatile. The younger ones can be stir-fried, while older, firmer chayotes are ideal for slow-cooked soups. When fresh lotus seeds and fresh lily bulbs are in season together, simmering them with chayote and a piece of pork shin makes a soup that is light and not greasy at all — refreshing rather than heavy — and traditionally valued for clearing what Chinese food therapy calls “liver heat,” calming an unsettled mood, and settling the mind before sleep. It suits anyone who tends toward bloating, restless sleep, or the kind of low-grade irritability that can build up in warm weather.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits people of most constitutions; Bro Niu notes it is appropriate for all body types
• Particularly helpful for those experiencing stomach bloating, poor sleep, vivid dreams, or a mild phlegmy cough
• Those with yin-deficiency and excess fire can also enjoy this soup — chayote is safe for them
• If fresh lotus seeds and lily bulbs are unavailable, dried versions work well: use 1 liang (~38 g) of each

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Chayote (he zhang gua): Cooling and moistening; traditionally associated with soothing the liver, harmonizing the middle burner, and relieving dryness and internal heat
• Fresh lotus seed (xian lian zi): Gently nourishes the heart and spleen; traditionally linked to calming agitation and supporting more restful sleep; the inner green shoot (lian xin) can be left in — it is slightly bitter but traditionally used to clear heart fire
• Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): Moistens the lungs and calms the nerves; in traditional food therapy, it is closely linked to emotional settling and relief from restless, over-thinking minds
• Pork shank (zhu zhan): Lean and rich in collagen; adds body to the broth without making it fatty
• Ginger (sheng jiang): Adds warmth to balance the cooling ingredients and aids absorption

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chayote	2 medium	Peel and cut into chunks
Fresh lotus seeds	~75 g (2 liang)	Rinse; the green inner shoot can stay in
Fresh lily bulb	2 bulbs	Rinse and separate petals
Pork shank (lean shin)	~300 g	Blanch in boiling water, rinse
Fresh ginger	2 slices

Method

1. Peel the chayotes and cut into large chunks.
2. Rinse the lotus seeds and lily bulb petals gently.
3. Blanch the pork shank pieces in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain and rinse.
4. Place the chayote and pork shank in a pot with 6 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Add the lotus seeds and lily bulb petals. Simmer for a further 15 minutes until the lily bulb is tender and slightly translucent.
6. Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve and enjoy the soup along with the soft vegetables and meat.

Bro Niu’s tips

• Fresh lily bulb dissolves quickly; adding it too early will cause it to completely break down. If using dried lily bulb, you can add it at the start with the chayote
• If using dried lotus seeds and lily bulbs, 1 liang (~38 g) each works well; dried lotus seeds can go in from the beginning
• This soup is suitable for all body types and for regular enjoyment throughout the summer
• Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) can substitute for fresh ginger if you prefer a slightly different flavor

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (May): Why do the lotus seeds and lily bulb go in later? Bro Niu: Fresh lily bulb dissolves very quickly in heat — if you add it too early, it will completely melt away. Fresh lotus seeds will also go very soft. Dried versions hold up better and can go in from the beginning with everything else.

• Q (Bee): Should I remove the lotus seed core? Bro Niu: The inner shoot has a heart-fire clearing and mild blood-pressure supporting quality, but it is slightly bitter. You can leave it in or remove it — both are fine.

• Q (Chen Tai): Is this soup suitable for all body types? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup suits any constitution.

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Published July 4, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.