Soups
Fresh Chinese Yam, Niu Da Li & Lean Pork Soup
traditionally used to nourish the body and strengthen the sinews
Why people make this soup
Fresh niu da li root is sweet and aromatic and traditionally valued for clearing heat, moistening the lung and strengthening the sinews and channels. Paired with Chinese yam — which supports the spleen and kidney and tonifies qi — plus lotus seeds and lean pork, it makes a nourishing soup that strengthens the body and the sinews and bones. It is especially welcome for people whose lung, spleen and kidney run weak and who cough easily. Both fresh Chinese yam and fresh niu da li root are available at Chinese herb shops, Asian grocers, or online.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits old and young; sweet and tasty.
- Helpful for people with a weak spleen and stomach.
- Those with an unresolved cold or fever should not take it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan): traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and kidney and tonifying qi.
- Niu da li (niu da li): used to clear heat, moisten the lung and strengthen the sinews and channels.
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): calming and nourishing, supporting the spleen.
- Southern dates & lean pork: round out a sweet, nourishing base.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan) | ~150 g (4 taels) | peeled, cut |
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~37 g (1 tael) | soak and rinse |
| Fresh niu da li (niu da li) | ~113 g (3 taels) | soak and rinse |
| Southern dates (nan zao) | 5 | |
| Lean pork | ~300 g (half catty) | sliced, blanched |
Method
- Peel and chunk the fresh yam; soak and rinse the other ingredients.
- Slice the lean pork and blanch it briefly.
- Put everything in 8 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours until reduced to 4 bowls.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and delicious, and old and young can enjoy it. It’s especially good for people with a weak spleen and stomach — but anyone with an unresolved cold or a fever should not take it.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous): Does it make a difference if I use dried Chinese yam for this soup? Bro Niu: Dried Chinese yam works just as well — use about 37 g (1 tael).
-
Q (amy poon): For the past month or so I keep waking around 3 a.m. with a dry mouth and a cough, and have to drink water to get back to sleep. Is there a soup that could help? Bro Niu: You can simmer 1 apple, about 11 g each of yu zhu and mai dong, and 3 figs with lean pork. Or brew about 11 g of schisandra (wu wei zi) with 4 slices of licorice (gan cao) as a tea — that helps too.
Published March 16, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
