Soups
Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Winter Melon Soup
Traditionally cools summer heat and supports the spleen
Why people make this soup
When the weather turns hot and muggy, winter melon is the pot’s anchor — one of the most cooling vegetables in traditional Cantonese cooking. Paired with fresh lotus seed and lily bulb, which are available at Chinese or Asian grocers when in season, a big pot of this soup is far more than a sweet dessert: it is a savoury, nourishing bowl traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, supporting the spleen, settling a restless heart and easing fitful sleep.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People bothered by summer heat, low appetite, restless or dream-filled sleep, mild puffiness, or a dry, thirsty mouth in hot weather
- Light and gentle enough for both young and old; as with any cooling soup, those with a very cold, weak digestion should go easy
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Winter melon (dong gua): traditionally used to clear summer heat and support the body in clearing excess fluid
- Fresh lotus seed (xian lian zi): associated with calming the heart and settling the mind
- Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): traditionally used to moisten and soothe, supporting restful sleep
- Ginger and red dates (sheng jiang, hong zao): warm the pot a touch so the cooling ingredients sit gently on the stomach
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lotus seeds | ~75 g (2 liang) | rinsed |
| Fresh lily bulb | ~75 g (2 liang) | separated and washed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Red dates | 5 | pitted |
| Winter melon | ~600 g (1 jin) | keep skin, deseed, cut in chunks |
| Lean pork | ~450 g (12 liang) | cut up, blanched |
Method
- Rinse the lotus seeds. Peel apart the lily bulb and wash it clean. Pit the red dates.
- Wash the winter melon with its skin on, remove the seeds and cut into chunks.
- Cut the pork into chunks and blanch in boiling water.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water, bring up and simmer about 1.5 hours down to 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is mild and moistening — suitable for young and old. It is also traditionally seen as helpful for those with dryness and heat signs such as bad breath or puffy gums.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Man): My 8-year-old daughter suddenly went hoarse and keeps getting a little yellow, soft eye discharge during the day — wipe it and it comes back. She doesn’t seem to have a cold and her appetite is fine. My husband has been short on sleep, working hard, and the last two days has a dry throat with a slight phlegmy feeling but doesn’t seem ill. Any soup suitable for both children and adults? Bro Niu: Try xia ku cao (self-heal) ~38 g, water chestnut 8, chrysanthemum ~11 g, half a luo han guo: cook the self-heal, water chestnut and luo han guo in 7 bowls of water for 45 minutes, then add the chrysanthemum and cook about 10 more minutes down to 4 bowls. The whole family can drink it; it traditionally helps clear liver heat, ease phlegm and a cough, and brighten the eyes.
-
Q (May): My 10-year-old had a mild fever and a phlegmy cough a couple of days ago. He saw a Western doctor, finished the course, the fever is gone and he’s 80–90% better. There’s still a little phlegmy cough — any soup to help alongside? Bro Niu: Use fresh long lei ye ~38 g, loquat leaf ~19 g, north and south almond ~38 g, and 1 snow pear (or about 8 dried snow pear slices). Cook in 7 bowls of water down to 3 bowls; have him take 2 bowls split over the day. It traditionally helps ease phlegm and a cough.
Published April 17, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
