Soups
Coconut, Dried Scallop and Chicken Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin and blood and support a tired body
Why people make this soup
After illness, too much worry or sheer overwork, the body can feel wrung out — low energy, a sallow complexion, poor appetite, and in the summer heat, short breath and sweating. Bro Niu turns to a naturally sweet coconut, dried scallop and chicken soup that the body welcomes. Traditionally it is associated with nourishing the spleen and stomach and replenishing yin and blood, and it suits anyone feeling drained, dry-throated or low on spirits.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People recovering from illness or overwork, with poor appetite, dry throat, low voice or flagging spirits.
- Older folk with the “three highs” can have chicken soup in moderation — ideally organic chicken, skin removed.
- Those with chronic heart issues or fluid retention should follow medical advice — please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Coconut (ye zi): the flesh and sweet water are traditionally valued for nourishing and refreshing the body.
- Dried scallop (yao zhu): associated with nourishing yin and gently clearing heat.
- Chicken (ji): a classic restorative for a worn-out, depleted body.
- Red dates and ginger (hong zao, sheng jiang): warm the middle and support the blood.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh coconut | 1 | flesh in chunks; keep the water |
| Dried scallops | 3–4 | soaked and rinsed |
| Red dates (jujube) | 8 | soaked and rinsed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Chicken | half a bird | blanched |
Method
- Clean and blanch the chicken; remove the coconut flesh and cut into chunks; soak and rinse the scallops and dates.
- Put everything into a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
Buy the coconut whole and have it opened at the shop, or open it at home — keep the sweet coconut water for the soup. Use the coconut flesh promptly once removed, as it spoils quickly. This soup is also welcomed by those with chronic heart weakness and swelling.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (scy): Are chicken soups unsuitable for elderly people with the “three highs”? Bro Niu: They can have chicken soup in moderation — best to use organic chicken and to remove the skin before cooking.
- Q (a reader, “Priscilla”): Can this soup be made with silkie (black-bone) chicken? Bro Niu: Yes, silkie chicken makes it very nourishing.
- Q (yan): My mum finished chemo and radiotherapy a month ago — she’s spleen-weak, sweats a lot, sleeps poorly and food tastes bland. What soup suits her? Bro Niu: Try astragalus (bei qi) ~19 g, chicken’s-gizzard lining (ji nei jin) ~11 g, red beans (chi xiao dou) ~38 g and two preserved tangerine cakes (ju bing), simmered into a congee or pork soup — it supports the spleen, boosts qi and helps ease weak-type sweating, 2–3 times a week.
Published July 22, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
