Soups
Fresh Chinese Yam, Flower-Shiitake and Carrot Soup
Traditionally supports the spleen and eases food stagnation in children
Why people make this soup
Fresh Chinese yam is delicious and nourishing whether stir-fried or in soup, and it is traditionally used to support the spleen, the lungs and the kidneys. There’s an old saying that children “have liver to spare and never quite enough spleen”, so when a child is off their food or digesting poorly, Bro Niu likes to pair fresh yam with carrot, shiitake and red dates — a gentle, child-friendly soup traditionally said to support the body, strengthen the spleen and ease food stagnation.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits children with a poor appetite or sluggish digestion; mild enough that the whole family can drink it. Lean pork or fresh fish can be added.
- The sap of fresh yam can cause skin irritation in some people — wear gloves to peel it. (For a child with a heat-type cold, Bro Niu suggests swapping the fresh yam for fresh burdock.)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Xian huai shan (fresh Chinese yam): traditionally used to support the spleen, lungs and kidneys; the fresh form is especially prized.
- Hua gu (shiitake): adds savoury depth and pairs well with almost anything.
- Gan sun (carrot): naturally sweet; the yellow-cored type is rich in vitamin A and is traditionally seen as good for the eyes.
- Hong zao (red dates): round out the flavour and support qi.
Ingredients (1 pot, 4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~600 g (1 catty) | peel (wear gloves), cut into thick strips |
| Carrot (gan sun) | 1 | peel, cut into thick strips |
| Flower shiitake | 10 small / 5 large | soak until soft |
| Red dates | 10 | pit |
Method
- Peel the fresh yam (wearing gloves) and the carrot, and cut both into thick strips. Soak the shiitake until soft. Pit the red dates.
- Put everything in a pot with about 8 bowls of water and simmer about 1 hour, down to 4–5 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear and sweet, so children won’t refuse it. Fresh yam contains a mucilage that can irritate the skin, so it is best to wear gloves when peeling. You can add lean pork or fresh fish; if using fish, pan-fry it first to avoid a fishy smell.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (yiou): Is “gan sun” the same as carrot? Bro Niu: Gan sun is carrot.
- Q (Yang): My child often passes stool soon after eating and isn’t putting on weight — what food therapy helps? Bro Niu: If the stool is loose, use about 38 g Chinese yam, 38 g each of stir-fried hyacinth bean and qian shi (fox nut), and 6 red dates to make a lean-pork soup — the whole family can drink it.
- Q (anonymous reader): How do I keep fresh Chinese yam from turning black after peeling? Bro Niu: Get peeled fresh yam into the pot quickly. If after peeling you see black spots, peel a little deeper — it may be surface contamination; remove the dark bits and it is fine to use. If a whole piece is spotted, discard it.
Published November 17, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
