Soups
Monkey Head Mushroom, Chinese Yam and Goji Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the stomach and digestive system
Why people make this soup
Years ago I came across fresh monkey head mushrooms at an organic market by the old Star Ferry pier, and I was surprised how delicious and tender they were. In the Cantonese kitchen this mushroom has long been a favourite for anyone with a touchy stomach. This bowl pairs it with Chinese yam and goji into a soup that families turn to when they want to be kind to their digestion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who want gentle, everyday support for the stomach and gut.
- Avoid during an external cold with fever. Mushrooms are relatively high in purines, so those prone to gout should go easy on them.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Monkey head mushroom (hou tou gu): Traditionally regarded as one of the most stomach-friendly mushrooms, long associated with supporting the digestive system.
- Chinese yam (huai shan): A classic tonic herb traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and stomach.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally used to nourish the liver and support overall vitality.
- Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and rounds out the flavour.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monkey head mushroom | 2–3 pieces | Choose ones with fine fuzz, fragrant, no sour smell |
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~37 g | Rinse and soak |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~11 g | Rinse |
| Carrot | 1 | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Cut and blanched |
| Water | 9 bowls | Reduced to about 4 |
Method
- Separately rinse and soak the monkey head mushroom, Chinese yam and goji berries.
- Peel the carrot and cut into chunks. Cut the pork and blanch it.
- Add everything to 9 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to about 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Pick monkey head mushrooms with plenty of fine surface fuzz that smell fragrant rather than sour. The soup is light and suits young and old, but skip it if you have a cold with fever.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Annie): Is monkey head mushroom okay if you have gout? Bro Niu: Most mushrooms are high in purines, so anyone with gout should use them sparingly.
- Q (Angel): Can people with a liver tumour or bloating drink this soup? Bro Niu: It suits them too. You can add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) to help with the bloating.
- Q (Hua Hua): My younger brother just had stomach surgery (a perforation) — does this mushroom soup need any changes for his recovery? Bro Niu: You can use this same monkey head mushroom soup and add about 19 g of astragalus (bei qi) to help the wound heal faster. The whole family can drink it.
Published November 18, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
