Soups
Chinese Yam, Goji & Pearl-Meat Chicken Soup
Nourishes the liver to support the eyes and ease eye strain
Why people make this soup
By middle age, vision naturally begins to soften. In Chinese five-element thinking, the eyes are closely tied to the liver — so the traditional approach to tired, strained eyes is to nourish the liver. Goji berries, pearl meat and red dates are all valued for “brightening the eyes,” and this soup is a sweet, savory way to take them. Pearl meat nourishes without being heating, which is why it suits people who are run-down from overwork and might not tolerate stronger tonics.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone with eyes tired from long hours of close work or screens; people who feel depleted from overwork.
- As always with shellfish-based ingredients, source from a reputable shop. Introduce new foods in moderation.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): a classic liver-nourishing, eye-brightening food.
- Pearl meat (zhen zhu rou): traditionally said to nourish liver yin and brighten the eyes — nourishing yet not heating.
- Chinese yam (huai shan) & red dates: support the spleen and stomach and add gentle nourishment.
- Carrot: rich in the orange-yellow pigments traditionally favored for eye health.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl meat (zhen zhu rou) | 3 pieces | from a reputable dried-seafood shop; clam/geoduck can substitute |
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~38 g | |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~15 g | |
| Red dates (pitted) | 10 | |
| Carrot | 1 | |
| Mature chicken | half |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients; slice the pearl meat open.
- Add water and simmer about 2 hours. Eat the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
The shell of the pearl oyster is also traditionally used to calm the liver and settle the mind. This soup is especially helpful for people who are mentally overworked.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Where can I buy pearl meat, and what can replace it? Bro Niu: Buy it from a reputable dried-seafood / ginseng shop (it’s fairly pricey). You can substitute clam, “concubine” mussel, or geoduck meat — about 2 tael of net meat.
- Q (pregnancy): Can I drink this while pregnant? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is fine during pregnancy.
- Q (fishy taste): My pearl meat tastes a bit fishy — what can I do? Bro Niu: Soak it, then blanch with 2–3 slices of ginger to reduce the smell. Sliced thin and simmered, it gives its benefit to the soup even if you don’t eat the meat.
Published March 6, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
