Soups
Dried Octopus and Fuzzy Melon Soup
traditionally supports qi, blood nourishment, and healthy fluid balance
Why people make this soup
Dried octopus (also known as dried eight-arm squid) has been a staple of Cantonese food-therapy cooking for centuries. Bro Niu picked up a couple of beautifully fragrant dried octopuses at a local seafood shop and paired them with mild, cooling fuzzy melon and sweet carrot. The result is a rich, naturally sweet broth that the whole family can enjoy — and which is especially associated in Chinese food-therapy tradition with supporting blood nourishment and a healthy energy (qi) level.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children as a general wellness soup; traditionally considered helpful for new mothers recovering from childbirth and wanting to support milk production
- People with skin conditions such as eczema or chronic skin rashes should limit or avoid octopus — it is classified as a “faring” (fa wu) food that may aggravate existing skin complaints
- Those with high cholesterol or cardiovascular concerns should either skip the octopus or use only a small amount (30–60 g) to add flavour without eating the flesh
- Pregnant women at four months or later may generally drink this soup, but those with eczema-type conditions should reduce the amount of octopus used
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried octopus (zhang yu): In traditional Chinese food-therapy, dried octopus is considered sweet and salty in flavour, and is associated with nourishing blood, supporting the spleen, and promoting milk production in nursing mothers. It also adds deep umami sweetness to the broth.
- Fuzzy melon (jie gua): Mild and gently moistening; traditionally used to support the stomach qi and promote healthy fluid metabolism without being excessively cooling.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): Rich in beta-carotene; in food-therapy, considered to support digestive function and eye health.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Naturally sweet and mildly moistening; support the lungs and add subtle sweetness to the broth.
- Pork ribs (pai gu): Provide protein and natural minerals; in food-therapy tradition, considered to support blood and strengthen bones.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fuzzy melon | 600 g | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Dried octopus | ~115 g | Scissors-cut into sections; rinse well |
| Dried figs | 3 pieces | |
| Pork ribs | ~450 g | Blanched in boiling water first |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Water | 10 bowls (~2 litres) |
Method
- Peel and cut the fuzzy melon and carrot into large chunks.
- Use kitchen scissors to cut the dried octopus into manageable sections.
- Blanch the pork ribs in boiling water for 2–3 minutes; drain and rinse.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with about 10 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to 4–5 bowls.
- Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve and enjoy the soup along with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is a gentle, nourishing soup suitable for the whole family. For nursing mothers, adding a handful of peanuts or white kidney beans alongside the dried figs can further support milk production. If you prefer a less intense octopus flavour or wish to reduce the cholesterol load, dried conch (xiang luo gan) makes a good substitute.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can fuzzy melon be swapped for winter melon in summer when the weather is very hot? And would adding peanuts or black-eyed peas help with milk supply? Bro Niu: Yes, you can substitute winter melon for the fuzzy melon. Adding black-eyed peas and peanuts along with the dried figs is indeed helpful for supporting milk production.
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Q (Jess): Is dried octopus and dried cuttlefish the same thing? Bro Niu: Octopus (the eight-armed variety) and cuttlefish are different creatures, but both are traditionally associated with nourishing blood and supporting lactation.
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Q (reader): People with eczema — is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: Octopus is a scaleless seafood and is classified as a “faring” food. Those with existing skin conditions should keep their intake small.
Published April 26, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
