Soups
Fresh Yam, Goji and Oxtail Soup
Traditionally warms and nourishes qi and blood in cold weather
Why people make this soup
When the weather turns cold, older folks and anyone with a more fragile constitution feel the chill first. Bro Niu’s habit in winter is to lean on gently warming, qi-building foods like beef, chicken and pork. Oxtail is one of his favourites — the small tail-tip pieces go especially tender and silky in a slow-simmered soup. Paired with fresh yam, goji and agaricus mushroom, it makes a comforting pot for the season.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits older adults and people who feel weak or run-down in cold weather, looking for a warming, nourishing soup.
- If you tend to run hot or have a “heaty” constitution, keep portions moderate. As with any rich meat soup, go easy if you have gout or are watching purine intake.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Oxtail (niu wei): Traditionally regarded as warming and strengthening, associated with building qi and blood and supporting the tendons and bones.
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan): A classic spleen- and lung-supporting food, valued for gently nourishing without being heavy.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidney and support the eyes; they add natural sweetness.
- Agaricus mushroom (ji song rong): A flavourful mushroom that rounds out the broth and is traditionally seen as supportive of overall vitality.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the dish and balances the richness of the meat.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen oxtail | ~half a pound (~225 g) | Tail-tip pieces preferred; thaw first |
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~150 g | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Goji berries | ~11 g | Rinsed |
| Agaricus mushroom | ~38 g | Soaked and rinsed |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices |
Method
- Thaw the oxtail, then blanch it in boiling water to remove impurities; drain.
- Peel and cut the fresh yam into chunks. Soak and rinse the agaricus mushroom and goji berries.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8–9 bowls of water.
- Simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to roughly 4 bowls. Serve the soup together with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
In cold weather this soup nourishes qi and blood and also has a complexion-brightening side benefit. If you want a stronger warming, chill-dispelling effect, you can swap the oxtail for lamb leg meat.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Wing): Is lamb-leg soup more “heaty” than oxtail? What can I add to balance the heat? Thank you. Bro Niu: Lamb is warming and very good at dispelling cold, but yes it leans heaty. Just add a few water chestnuts to the soup and that will balance it.
Published December 19, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
