老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Nourishing tonics

Lotus root, dried octopus and mung bean soup with pork bones

蓮藕章魚綠豆豬骨湯
replenishes qinourishes bloodstrengthens the spleenwhets the appetiteclears heatnourishes yinnourishes the complexionAutumnWinterAll year slow-boiled · 2.5 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Ingredients

街市Lotus root· cut into thick slices1 root, about 600 g (1 catty)
百子櫃Dried octopus· or 1 large one; soak and rinse3
百子櫃Mung bean60 g
街市Pork bones (femur / blade)800 g
百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel1 piece
百子櫃Candied honey date3

Method

  1. Peel the lotus root and cut it into thick slices. Soak the dried octopus until soft and rinse it clean. Rinse and soak the mung beans.
  2. Soak the dried tangerine peel until soft and scrape off the white pith.
  3. Blanch the pork bones (汆水, a quick boil to clear the scum) and set them aside.
  4. Put everything in the pot with 2 litres of water and bring to the boil over high heat.
  5. Turn down to low heat and simmer for 2.5 hours, then season with salt.

Who it suits

  • people who feel run down, traditionally described as weak in qi and blood
  • people with a weak digestion in winter who also run heaty
  • said to suit pregnant women better with lotus seeds and pork shin added

Who should take care

  • not for people with gout
  • people with a cold stomach can swap the mung beans for adzuki beans

Soup stories

Cooked lotus root shifts from cooling to neutral and is traditionally said to nourish qi and blood, a classic example of how cooking changes the character of an ingredient. The dried octopus is the savoury backbone Hong Kong mothers prize most in this pot.

From the same family

Double-boiled lean pork with ginseng and dendrobiumA$12–66
人參石斛燉瘦肉
replenishes qinourishes yinmoistens the lungsAll year
百子櫃Korean red ginseng· 8 g百子櫃Dendrobium stem· 12 g街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 4街市Fresh ginger· 4 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled chicken with cordycepsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
冬蟲夏草燉雞
supports the kidneysreplenishes qisoothes cough3h slow fireWinter
百子櫃Cordyceps· 3 to 5 pieces, about 2 to 3 g街市Fresh chicken (whole or half)· half街市Lean pork· 100 g街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled teal with cordycepsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
冬蟲草燉水鴨
moistens the lungssupports the kidneyssoothes cough3.5h slow fireWinter
百子櫃Cordyceps· 3 to 5 pieces百子櫃Teal (small wild-type duck)· 1百子櫃Dried fig· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· a quarter piece街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.