Soups
Dried Oyster, Fat Choy, Shiitake and Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally nourishes yin, clears excess heat, and eases post-indulgence digestive sluggishness
Why people make this soup
After days of festive eating — rich meats, fried foods, too many sweets — it is very common to feel bloated, heavy, and vaguely “overheated”: inflamed gums, a bitter taste in the mouth, or simply a dull digestive discomfort. This soup uses the leftover Lunar New Year staples — dried oysters (hao shi) and fat choy (fa cai) — not just for their auspicious symbolism of “prosperity,” but because they genuinely work well together as a post-celebration digestive reset.
Interestingly, fat choy has a long history of being used by teachers in Cantonese traditional households, because chalk dust inhalation was an occupational hazard; the black moss was believed to help “draw out” fine particulates from the body. While that traditional rationale is charmingly old-fashioned, the soup itself is deeply nourishing and tastes wonderful.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family, including older adults
- Especially beneficial for those prone to heat symptoms: swollen or tender gums, easy flushes, constipation, menopausal discomfort, or calcium deficiency
- Frail elderly or those who cannot digest soybeans: substitute soybeans with fresh tofu skin (fu zhu) or fresh bean curd roll
- Generally well-tolerated and not overly cooling
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried oysters (hao shi): Concentrated source of zinc, iron, and protein; traditionally described as nourishing yin and blood; richer in food-therapy terms than fresh oysters
- Fat choy / black moss (fa cai): Traditionally associated with clearing digestive stagnation and absorbing fine particulates in the body; a good source of dietary fibre
- Dried shiitake mushrooms (dong gu): Immune-supporting; adds deep savoury umami; traditionally considered to ease phlegm and strengthen the spleen
- Soybeans (huang dou): Support yin nourishment; high in plant protein and calcium; traditionally considered to help reduce body “heat” and support the bones
- Tangerine peel (chen pi): Aids digestion, reduces any “fishy” quality in the oysters, and helps the body better absorb the nourishment of the other ingredients
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried oysters (hao shi) | 5–6 pieces | Soak until softened before cooking |
| Fat choy (fa cai) | 1 small handful (~5 g) | Dried black moss; soak and rinse well |
| Dried shiitake mushrooms | 5–6 mushrooms | Soak; remove stems before using |
| Soybeans | 2 liang (~75 g) | Soak for 1–2 hours; or substitute tofu skin |
| Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) | 2 pieces | |
| Lean pork | 225 g (6 liang) | Sliced |
Method
- Soak and rinse the dried oysters, fat choy, shiitake mushrooms, and soybeans separately until softened. Remove the shiitake stems.
- Slice the lean pork, then blanch the pork slices and dried oysters together in boiling water; drain and discard the blanching water.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (~2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours until reduced to about 4–5 bowls.
- Serve with the soup solids — eat the oysters, mushrooms, and soy beans along with the broth.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is fragrant and rich-tasting — the whole family will enjoy it. It is particularly beneficial for those with a tendency toward yin deficiency and excess heat, for women going through menopause, and for anyone whose diet is low in calcium. To substitute soybeans: use tofu skin (fu zhu) or fresh bean curd roll in similar quantity — the soup will be lighter but still delicious.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can yellow soybeans be replaced with chestnuts or adzuki beans? Bro Niu: Chestnuts work well as a substitute. Adzuki beans (red beans) do not pair as well flavour-wise for this particular soup.
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Q (reader): This soup — is it suitable for a frail elderly person? Would soybeans be too cooling for them? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable for a frail elderly person. If soy beans are a concern, swap them out for tofu skin (fu zhu) or fresh bean curd roll in an appropriate amount.
Published February 15, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
