Coriander, Scallion, Ginger, Pickled Cucumber and Fish Slice Broth

Why people make this broth

The weather has been strange — winter still mild — and these unsettled spells are exactly when colds spread, especially among the very young and the elderly. When a cold is just starting and the throat feels off, but before any fever or body aches, I cook a quick coriander-scallion broth to coax out a gentle sweat and ease the discomfort. Sweet pickled cucumber is traditionally used to soothe and de-swell the throat; coriander and scallion to disperse and help sweating; and a fresh grass-carp fillet makes the broth tasty and nourishing.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Best at the very first sign of a cold with throat discomfort, before fever or body aches.
• If your sore throat is from “heat” (after fried food or hotpot), leave out the ginger — see tips.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Coriander and scallion (yan sui / cong): Traditionally used to aid digestion, disperse and promote a light sweat.
• Sweet pickled cucumber (cha gua): Traditionally used to clear heat and soothe the throat.
• Fresh ginger: Warms and helps disperse a chill (omit for heat-type sore throat).
• Grass carp fillet (wan yu): Makes the broth nourishing and sweet.

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Coriander and scallion	~75 g	Trimmed, cut into sections
Fresh ginger	3–4 slices	Omit for heat-type sore throat
Sweet pickled cucumber	4 pieces	Sliced
Grass carp fillet	1	Skinned, thinly sliced
Water	3 bowls	Reduced to 2

Method

1. Trim and wash the coriander and scallion; cut into sections. Slice the pickled cucumber. Skin the grass carp and slice thinly.
2. Bring 3 bowls of water to a boil, add all ingredients, and boil hard for 10 minutes until reduced to 2 bowls. Serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

If the throat pain comes from “heat” — too much fried food or hotpot — leave out the ginger; without it the broth helps clear dry heat, settle a flaring throat and ease the voice.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (DD): I live in the US — if I can’t get sweet pickled cucumber, what can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can use one century egg (pi dan) instead; it nourishes yin, clears heat and soothes the throat.
• Q (neufneuf): After a vaccination I had mild cold-like reactions — chills at night but no fever, then an itchy throat and occasional light cough. What suits a cold constitution? Bro Niu: Try 3 dark plums (wu mei), 1 tablespoon chrysanthemum and 5 slices liquorice, steeped as tea — good for a wind-type cough and not cold-natured; take for three doses.

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Published December 11, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.