Soups
Green Papaya, Peanut & Chicken Feet Soup
Traditionally favoured for postpartum nourishment, lactation support, and the skin
Why people make this soup
Green papaya is a familiar sight at the market, and Bro Niu often buys it for soup. Most people know papaya is nourishing — it is rich in folate, which is good for a baby’s development, and is traditionally associated with supporting lactation, making it a favourite for nursing mothers after childbirth. This Green Papaya, Peanut & Chicken Feet Soup is not only traditionally favoured to support milk supply, it is also rich in protein and well loved for the skin.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Nursing mothers after childbirth; also enjoyed by the whole family, young and old.
- Important: pregnant women must not eat papaya, because unripe papaya is high in latex that may trigger uterine contractions — enjoy it only after the baby is born.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green papaya (qing mu gua): Rich in folate and traditionally associated with supporting lactation in nursing mothers.
- Peanuts (hua sheng): A good plant protein that rounds out the soup.
- Chicken feet (ji jiao) & pork blade bone (xi shi gu): Add gelatin and richness; traditionally associated with looking after the skin and joints and helping reduce bone loss.
Ingredients (about 4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green papaya | Half to 1 | Peeled, seeded, cut into chunks |
| Peanuts | 1 tael (~38 g) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Fresh chicken feet | 6 | Blanched |
| Pork blade bone (xi shi gu) | ~300 g (half catty) | Blanched |
Method
- Peel and seed the green papaya, then cut into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the peanuts.
- Blanch the chicken feet and pork bone.
- Combine all ingredients with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer for about 1.5 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls. Serve the soup along with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is naturally sweet and tasty, and the whole family young and old can drink it. It is traditionally favoured to help reduce bone loss and ease joint discomfort.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ling): Are chicken feet very fatty? When I took the soup out of the fridge the next day it had set solid — is that gelatin or fat? Bro Niu: The main beneficial component of chicken feet is gelatin; of course there is some fat under the skin, so the best approach is to skim the surface fat off before drinking the soup.
Published October 16, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
