Soups
Polygonatum, Lily Bulb, Snow Fungus and Partridge Soup
Traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and support lung health
Why people make this soup
When the air turns dry or life gets hectic — late nights, long hours, air conditioning — many people notice a persistent dry throat, a scratchy cough, or that parched feeling that just will not go away. This soup is Bro Niu’s go-to for exactly those moments. Polygonatum, lily bulb, and snow fungus are three ingredients long prized in Chinese kitchen medicine for their ability to gently moisten the lungs and replenish body fluids. The partridge provides rich, mild nutrition without feeling heavy, making the whole pot fragrant and easy to drink.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for those who stay up late, feel internally warm and dry, have a persistent dry cough, dry throat, or are managing blood sugar (the yin-nourishing ingredients are traditionally considered supportive here)
- Children generally enjoy it — the flavour is mild with very little herbal bitterness
- Those with loose stools or heavy dampness constitution should consume in moderation
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Polygonatum rhizome (yu zhu): Traditionally regarded as nourishing to yin fluids, supporting a sense of moisture throughout the body and easing a parched throat
- Dried lily bulb (bai he): Long used to calm and moisten the lungs; also associated with a mild calming effect on the mind
- Snow fungus (xue er): Prized for its gelatinous texture and traditional role in moistening the lungs and supporting skin
- Dried fig (wu hua guo): Adds natural sweetness and is associated with supporting the throat and digestion
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the middle and helps balance the cooling nature of the other ingredients
- Partridge (zhe gu): A mildly warming bird considered in Chinese food therapy to be nourishing yet easy to digest, well-suited to those who are constitutionally weak
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polygonatum rhizome (yu zhu) | 19 g (5 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | 38 g (1 liang) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Dried snow fungus (xue er) | 11 g (3 qian) | Soak until softened; remove tough base |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 2 pieces | Rinse, halve |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Partridge | 1 bird (~350–400 g) | Cleaned, chopped; blanched in boiling water first |
Method
- Clean and chop the partridge. Blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, drain and rinse — this removes impurities and keeps the soup clear.
- Soak the polygonatum, lily bulb, and snow fungus in cold water for 20 minutes; remove and trim the hard base of the snow fungus.
- Rinse the figs and halve them.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 2 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 4 bowls.
- Serve the broth along with the solid ingredients — the snow fungus and lily bulb in particular are worth eating.
Bro Niu’s tips
Yu zhu (polygonatum) is the star here — it is traditionally known for nourishing yin and generating fluids, making this soup particularly well suited to those who stay up late, feel hot internally, have a dry mouth or throat, or experience a dry, scratchy cough. People managing blood sugar may also find it supportive. If you cannot find partridge, lean pork or small whole fish work fine as substitutes. Snow fungus is best eaten the day it is cooked — if you have leftovers, fish the fungus out and store it separately; the broth alone keeps fine for the next day.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Yola): Can I replace ginger with dried tangerine peel (chen pi)? And can I use fresh lily bulb and fresh fig instead of dried? Bro Niu: Yes, chen pi can stand in for ginger. Fresh lily bulb and fresh fig both work — but the dried versions tend to give a stronger therapeutic effect.
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Q (Yola): Can I swap red dates or honey dates in place of the figs? Bro Niu: Red dates are a good swap — use about 5 pieces.
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Q (Ivy): What can I use if I cannot find partridge? Bro Niu: Small whole ocean fish make a good substitute. Lean pork is also fine.
Published May 16, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
