Soups
Chinese Yam, Fox Nut and Fresh Fish Soup
Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and support a weak, underweight child
Why people make this soup
Some mums have told Bro Niu their little ones sleep with eyes half-open, sleep poorly, wake up with sweat-soaked clothes, seem listless and tired — and wonder why. In Chinese tradition, a “spleen-weak” child often shows poor appetite, a sallow complexion, tiredness, sleeping with eyes ajar, and spontaneous or night sweats. So caring for a child’s spleen and stomach really matters. This Chinese yam and fox nut fresh fish soup is traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, support the kidneys and qi — helpful for spleen-weak children with a bloated belly, loose stools, a sallow thin frame, lots of sweat, or sleeping with eyes ajar.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits children (and the whole family) who are spleen-weak — tired, underweight, sweaty, or with loose stools.
- A child with habitual constipation should leave out the fox nut and add a few dried figs instead. To add a damp-clearing effect, you can include about 1 liang of raw Job’s-tears (sheng yi mi).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese yam (huai shan): a gentle food-and-herb staple, traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and support the kidneys.
- Fox nut (qian shi): classically paired with yam, traditionally used to firm the stomach and help with loose stools and sweating.
- Small fresh sea fish (hai yu zai): light and easy to digest; the source notes a “red snapper-type” small fish, which is inexpensive and nourishing — red threadfin, leatherjacket or any fresh small sea fish work.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam | ~37 g (1 liang) | soaked soft |
| Fox nut | ~37 g (1 liang) | soaked soft |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Small fresh sea fish | ~600 g (1 catty) | cleaned, pan-fried, in a soup bag |
Method
- Clean the small fish. Pan-fry lightly until fragrant, then place in a fish soup bag.
- Soak the Chinese yam and fox nut until soft.
- Put everything into the pot with about 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 4 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the yam and fox nut.
Bro Niu’s tips
The whole family can enjoy this soup. The fish pictured is a small red-snapper type, traditionally said to support the spleen and nourish the blood — inexpensive and tasty. If you can’t find it, red threadfin, leatherjacket or any other fresh small sea fish will do.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Carol): Can I use lean pork for the same effect? My child (about 2) has stools that aren’t loose but are sticky; a TCM practitioner said the spleen and stomach are weak. Bro Niu: Lean pork or pork shin works just as well; the sea fish is simply easier to digest and absorb.
- Q (SO): Do I have to pan-fry the fish before simmering? It gets greasy. Can I skip it and just add more ginger? Bro Niu: You can skip the frying, but only if the fish is very fresh — otherwise it will taste fishy.
- Q (Florence): I have two children — one with habitual constipation, one who is thin and has loose stools and sleeps with eyes ajar. Can both have this soup? Bro Niu: Your son can drink this yam-and-fox-nut fish soup often. For your daughter with habitual constipation, fox nut isn’t ideal, but the soup itself is fine — just add a few dried figs and let her eat the figs too.
Published September 24, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
