Soups
Daylily, Chayote, Lily Bulb and Pork Rib Soup
Traditionally used to support the eyes and a settled, restful mood
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu picked up some hard-to-find Taiwanese daylily flowers at a market — bright in colour and, once cooked, tender and crisp with a lovely fragrance. Daylily has an old folk name, “the forget-your-worries herb,” because it is traditionally associated with a lighter mood and better rest, which makes it a friendly choice for people who feel anxious or low. Paired with fresh lily bulb, chayote, mushrooms, goji and scallop, the soup comes out clear, sweet and comforting, and is traditionally enjoyed to support the eyes and a calmer spirit.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who feel restless, low or sleep poorly, and those who want a light soup to support tired eyes.
- Also a gentle, kind choice for those carrying water weight or puffiness.
- As with any new food, introduce daylily in moderation; if you are pregnant, on medication or managing a health condition, check with your own doctor first.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Daylily (jin zhen hua): Known as “forget-your-worries” in folk tradition and associated with calm and restful sleep; it is also valued as an iron-rich, nourishing food.
- Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): Traditionally used to ease the heart and settle the mind, and to support beauty and graceful ageing.
- Chayote (he zhang gua): A light, hydrating vegetable that keeps the soup clean and gentle.
- Flower mushroom & dried scallop (hua gu, yao zhu): Add savoury depth and a naturally sweet, satisfying broth.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Long associated with supporting the eyes and overall vitality.
Ingredients (4 bowls / 1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried daylily flowers | 1 small handful | Soak/rinse in clean water 30 min |
| Fresh lily bulb | 1 bulb | Separate petals, rinse |
| Chayote | 1 | Peel, cut into chunks |
| Dried flower mushrooms | 4 | Soak soft, remove stems |
| Goji berries | 1 tbsp | Rinse |
| Dried scallop | 4 | Soak soft |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Slice, blanch |
Method
- Soak the daylily flowers in clean water for about 30 minutes; rinse the goji and the separated lily-bulb petals; soak the mushrooms and scallops until soft and de-stem the mushrooms.
- Peel and cut the chayote; slice and blanch the pork.
- Bring 8 bowls of water to a boil, add the chayote, mushrooms, scallop and pork, and cook for 45 minutes.
- Add the daylily, goji and lily bulb, and cook a further 15 minutes. Serve the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Add the daylily, goji and fresh lily bulb late — if they go in too early they overcook and turn mushy. This soup is clear and sweet, suitable for young and old, and a kind choice for anyone troubled by puffiness or water weight.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Can I add melon or other vegetables when making this for several people? Will the longan (yuan rou) be heating? Bro Niu: You can add chayote or hairy gourd. For a child with a pale face and cold limbs, the constitution tends to run “cold”; a rosy face and a love of cold drinks and watermelon tends to run “hot” — that helps you judge.
- Q (Ming): Weak spleen-stomach with dampness; the weather changed and I feel bloated, slightly nauseous, with a dry mouth and swollen gums. Any food-therapy help? Bro Niu: Try a tea of sha ren 2 qian, finger-citron (fo shou) 2 qian, one dried tangerine peel and gan cao 1 qian, steeped 15 minutes; one cup a day, re-steeping to weak, for 3–4 days, and see if it eases.
Published March 15, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
