Soups
Kudzu, Job's Tears & Carrot Soup
Traditionally strengthens the spleen, drains dampness and supports against the 'three highs'
Why people make this soup
Kudzu root is available year-round and the roots are often large, so it is common to find it sold in halves. Bro Niu pairs it with Job’s tears and carrot, simmered with pork shin. The soup comes out clear and naturally sweet, and is traditionally valued not just for guarding against the “three highs” (high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol) but also for easing neck-and-shoulder soreness and puffiness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People watching the “three highs” who want a gentle, everyday supportive soup
- Those with neck-and-shoulder soreness or mild fluid retention
- Pregnant women should not use Job’s tears — replace it with rice bean and hyacinth bean
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Kudzu root (fen ge): traditionally pairs with beans to strengthen the spleen-stomach and drain dampness; often used in soups for neck-and-shoulder tension.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): here both raw and cooked are used for their clearing, water-draining quality; traditionally associated with reducing leg cramps.
- Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): adds fragrance and traditionally supports the spleen and qi.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): rounds out the sweetness.
- Pork shin (zhu zhan): lean meat for body and savour.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kudzu root (fen ge) | ~600 g | peeled, washed, cut into chunks |
| Raw + cooked Job’s tears | ~75 g total | rinsed and soaked |
| Aged tangerine peel (chen pi) | 1 piece | rinsed and soaked |
| Carrot | 1 | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Pork shin (zhu zhan) | 1 | cut into chunks, blanched |
Method
- Peel and wash the kudzu, cut into chunks.
- Rinse and soak the Job’s tears and tangerine peel separately.
- Peel the carrot and cut into chunks.
- Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch.
- Add everything to 9 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours down to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
To peel kudzu easily, press a small knife at the top end and tear the skin away, then split it lengthwise — it’s far easier to cut into chunks that way. Job’s tears can help prevent calf cramps, so older folks may like to use a bit more — but pregnant women should not use Job’s tears; substitute rice bean and hyacinth bean instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ki): Hello Bro Niu, my 86-year-old relative had a contrast scan and will have staged gallstone removal. After discharge, should they drink radish-and-peel water to flush out the contrast dye? And what soup can build them up? Bro Niu: Once they’re allowed water after surgery, sip radish-and-tangerine-peel water in small mouthfuls — it helps clear anaesthetic and toxins faster. The next day you can make another dose and drink in larger mouthfuls to stimulate the bowels and ease passing stool.
- Q (Ki, follow-up): They have diabetes and poor kidney function, had a gallbladder stent, but blood infection (sepsis) and a heart rate of 140 mean they can’t be discharged yet. Can I bring the radish water to the hospital? Any soup for the blood infection — is rockfish (shi chong yu) and lean pork soup okay? Bro Niu: The radish-and-peel water can be drunk in hospital. Hold off on the rockfish soup for now — wait until after discharge. For now, dried-scallop-and-peel millet congee, or minced-pork millet congee, can be given. Please follow the medical team’s guidance.
Published October 2, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
