Soups
Huai Yam, Goji & Quail Soup
Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, liver, and kidneys to support resistance to illness
Why people make this soup
When the weather swings between warm and cold — as it so often does in spring and autumn — children who are just starting school are particularly susceptible to picking up colds from classmates. Rather than waiting for illness to strike, many families in the Cantonese tradition make a preventive nourishing soup at the beginning of each season. Quail has long been nicknamed “the ginseng of the animal world” in Chinese food culture because it nourishes the five major organ systems without causing the heat or dryness associated with stronger tonics. Bro Niu finds the broth naturally sweet and mild enough that children will happily drink it — which is half the battle with any food therapy designed for young ones.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits: children (especially those frequently catching colds), adults of all ages; a gentle soup for the whole family as a seasonal preventive brew
- Not suitable if there is an active cold, flu, fever, or any unresolved external illness — wait until fully recovered before serving
- If quail is unavailable, substitute with fresh fish or lean pork; the therapeutic effect is similar
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Quail (anchun): Traditionally prized for nourishing the five organ systems without causing inner heat; leaner and more delicate than chicken, with a mild, sweet broth
- Chinese yam (huai shan): A classic spleen and lung tonic; gently supports digestion, energy, and overall vitality without being warming or cooling in excess
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): One of the most widely used tonic berries; associated with supporting liver and kidney function, eye health, and general vitality
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): Support the spleen and calm the mind; add a mild sweetness to the broth
- Red dates (hong zao): Harmonise the other ingredients and add natural sweetness
- Fresh ginger: Warms the stomach, reduces any gamey aroma from the quail, and adds a gentle warming note
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan, dried) | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Goji berries | 15 g (4 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Lotus seeds | 38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Red dates | 8 pieces | Soak and rinse |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Quail | 2 birds | Defrost, clean, and blanch first |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.9 L) |
Method
- Defrost and clean the quail thoroughly; blanch in boiling water for a couple of minutes and rinse.
- Soak and rinse the huai yam, goji berries, lotus seeds, and red dates.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2 hours until reduced to approximately 4 bowls.
- Serve the broth and eat the soup ingredients — the quail meat and lotus seeds are both delicious.
Bro Niu’s tips
Frozen quail are typically available at large supermarkets and specialty frozen meat shops — they usually come two to a pack and are easy to identify. This soup suits the whole family, young and old, and has the dual benefit of supporting liver, kidney, spleen, and stomach function. If fresh quail are impossible to find, fresh fish or lean pork make good substitutes and keep the soup just as nourishing. Remember: this soup is a preventive and recovery brew — if someone at the table still has a cold, hold off until their symptoms have fully resolved.
Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days — strain out the solids and store separately for best results.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Jennifer): My mother just finished chemotherapy and has a mild persistent temperature of 37.4–37.8°C. Can she have this soup? Bro Niu: With a low-grade fever, it is better to hold off on tonic soups for now. Try coix seed (yi mi, 38 g), fresh reed rhizome (lu gen, 19 g), and lophatherum herb (dan zhu ye, 11 g) in 5 bowls of water simmered to 2 bowls — take for 2 batches until the fever resolves. Once her temperature is stable, this quail soup will be very nourishing for recovery.
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Q (kaying): My two-year-old has severe hereditary nasal sensitivity and catches a fever almost every month. Is there any daily wellness soup suitable for him? Bro Niu: For a child with frequent respiratory illness and nasal sensitivity, look for the proprietary formula Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen Powder) in granule form at Chinese herbal shops — add 5 flower buds of magnolia (xin yi hua) and mix into warm water. Give this two to three times a week to gradually build constitutional strength and reduce nasal sensitivity.
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Q (lok): Where can I buy frozen quail? Does having a cough and runny nose count as “external illness not yet cleared”? Bro Niu: Frozen quail are available at larger supermarkets and specialty frozen meat stores. Yes, a cough and runny nose do count as external illness not yet cleared — wait until nasal discharge has resolved before having this soup.
Published February 16, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
