Lotus Root, Black Bean and Octopus Soup

Why people make this soup

Postpartum hair loss is remarkably common — most new mothers notice significant shedding in the weeks after delivery, as the body recalibrates its hormones. In Chinese food therapy, this is understood as a depletion of liver blood during pregnancy and birth, and the traditional approach is to replenish that blood through nourishing foods. This soup does that work through the combination of iron-rich dried octopus, blood-building black beans (which are dry-toasted to enhance their warming quality), and lotus root, which adds a gentle astringent quality. The result is a deeply savory, satisfying soup that Cantonese families have made for new mothers for generations.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well-suited to new mothers from around day 3 after delivery (both natural and caesarean birth)
• Also beneficial for lactation support and general postpartum recovery
• Those with a hot or easily-heated constitution, or those currently experiencing skin conditions, should avoid this soup — it tends toward the warming, nourishing end of the spectrum
• Suitable for women who had a miscarriage 2–3 months prior

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Black soybeans (hei dou): Dry-toasting them in a clean pan before cooking enhances their warming and nourishing properties; they are traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, promoting hair health, and boosting lactation
• Dried octopus (zhang yu gan): In traditional food therapy, dried octopus is associated with nourishing blood, supporting tissue repair, and stimulating milk production — preferred over squid (you yu) for this purpose, though squid can substitute
• Lotus root (lian ou): Provides a mild astringent quality that helps support blood-building; has a pleasant, slightly sweet taste that balances the soup
• Red dates (hong zao): A foundational blood-nourishing ingredient in Chinese food therapy, supporting qi and blood recovery
• Ginger: Warms the middle burner and helps the body absorb the nourishing ingredients

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lotus root	1 jin (~600 g)	Peel and cut into chunks
Black soybeans (hei dou)	2 liang (~75 g)	Dry-toast in a clean pan first until fragrant; then rinse
Dried octopus	3 liang (~112 g)	Soak and rinse; available at Chinese seafood stores
Lean pork	6 liang (~225 g)	Slice and blanch briefly in boiling water
Red dates, pitted	8 pieces	Remove pits to reduce heatiness
Fresh ginger	3 slices
Water	8 bowls (~1.9 L)

Method

1. Dry-toast the black beans in a clean, oil-free pan over medium heat until fragrant and slightly cracked. Rinse and set aside.
2. Peel the lotus root and cut into thick chunks.
3. Slice the lean pork and blanch briefly in boiling water; drain.
4. Soak the dried octopus in water until softened; rinse.
5. Pit the red dates and rinse.
6. Add all ingredients to a clay pot or heavy-bottomed pot with 8 bowls of water.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 2 hours.
8. Serve hot, eating the soup and the solid ingredients together.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup has a rich umami flavor and is excellent for postpartum nourishment — not just for hair, but also for overall blood recovery and milk production. However, those with an easily-heated constitution should not drink it; for that group, Bro Niu suggests a lighter alternative using mulberry fruit (sang shen zi) and black beans steeped as tea (with a little of the toasted black beans soaked in hot water) to support hair health without excess heat. Dried squid (you yu gan) can substitute for octopus and has similar blood-nourishing properties, though the effects differ slightly.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Eva): I am 70 days postpartum and already losing a lot of hair. But I have a hot constitution — is this soup suitable for me? Will plain toasted black bean tea help? Bro Niu: If you have a hot constitution, this soup may not be ideal. Instead, try soaking toasted black beans in hot water as tea, and add 1 tablespoon of black mulberry (hei sang shen) to the brew — it supports hair regrowth while reducing the warming effect.

• Q (Yanka): In the recipe using mulberry, black beans, and walnut — do the black beans need to be dry-toasted? How much water? Bro Niu: Toasting the black beans adds a warming, tonic quality. But if you prefer to skip that step, the untoasted version is fine too. Use about 5 bowls of water and cook for 1 hour.

• Q (JC): My wife is about to give birth by caesarean section. When can she start drinking this soup? Bro Niu: She can begin from about day 5 or 6 after a caesarean delivery.

---

Published February 28, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.