Soups
Lotus Root, Octopus & Bean Soup
Traditionally nourishes qi and blood, supportive after childbirth
Why people make this soup
I picked up some Yunnan chicken-beans and flower-waist beans — wholesome, tasty beans — and simmered them with lotus root and octopus into a fragrant, full-bodied soup where you can happily eat the solids too. These beans are rich in protein, B vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and in food tradition they pair beautifully with lotus root and octopus to nourish qi and blood. It is an old favourite for new mothers feeling depleted, and for anyone run-down and pale.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- New mothers and anyone feeling depleted in qi and blood; the whole family can enjoy it.
- People with stubborn eczema or itchy skin should avoid the octopus — use dried conch, dried scallop or conch heads instead.
- People with G6PD (favism) should leave out the chicken-bean and flower-waist bean (they resemble fava beans) — use peanuts instead. Early pregnancy: this soup is fine.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus root (lian ou): Traditionally supports the spleen and qi and nourishes blood; its many channels are associated with helping flow.
- Octopus (zhang yu): A traditional blood-nourishing seafood that adds deep savour.
- Chicken-bean & flower-waist bean: Protein- and mineral-rich Yunnan beans, suited to those watching the heart and blood pressure.
- Red dates, ginger & tangerine peel: Warm and round out the soup; the tangerine peel keeps the beans easy to digest.
Ingredients (4 to 5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root (lian ou) | ~600 g | Peeled, cut |
| Dried octopus | 1 | Soaked, rinsed |
| Chicken-bean (ji bao dou) | ~38 g | Omit if G6PD |
| Flower-waist bean (hua yao dou) | ~38 g | Omit if G6PD |
| Red dates | 6 | |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece | |
| Pork shin | ~225 g | Blanched |
| Water | 8 bowls | Reduced to 4–5 |
Method
- Peel the lotus root and cut into chunks; blanch the pork shin; soak and rinse the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything into a clay pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer until reduced to 4 to 5 bowls. Eat the soup with the solids.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup nourishes qi and blood and tastes wonderful — the whole family can drink it. But people with stubborn eczema or itchy skin should skip the octopus and use dried conch, dried scallop or conch heads instead. If anyone has G6PD, leave out the two Yunnan beans (they look too much like fava beans) and use peanuts in their place.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Karen): Can someone with favism (G6PD) drink this soup? Bro Niu: Since chicken-bean and flower-waist bean somewhat resemble fava beans, to be safe simply leave those two beans out.
- Q (Mei): Is lotus root soup suitable for a stroke patient (weak limbs but clear speech)? Bro Niu: Lotus root soup suits stroke patients — you can add black beans and southern dates. Fruits and vegetables with many channels or holes — loofah, tangerine pith, tangerine peel, lotus root — are traditionally associated with helping flow.
- Q (Peace): I can’t use octopus because of eczema — what can replace it? Bro Niu: You can use dried conch, dried scallop or conch heads instead.
Published April 30, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
