老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Nourishing tonics

Morinda root and eucommia bark soup with chestnuts and pork bones

巴戟杜仲栗子豬骨湯
supports the kidneysstrengthens sinews and bonesWinter slow-boiled · 2.5 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

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

Ingredients

百子櫃Morinda root20 g (5 mace)
百子櫃Eucommia bark20 g (5 mace)
百子櫃Chestnut150 g
街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 龍骨, the spine bones600 g (1 catty)
百子櫃Red jujube date4
街市Fresh ginger2 slices

Method

  1. Rinse the 巴戟 (morinda root) and 杜仲 (eucommia bark); peel the skins off the chestnuts.
  2. Blanch the pork bones (汆水, a quick boil that draws out the blood and scum) and set aside.
  3. Put everything in the pot, add 2.5 litres of water and bring to the boil over high heat.
  4. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours, then season with salt.

Who it suits

  • aching, weak lower back and knees
  • strain and wear from overuse
  • people doing physical work

Who should take care

  • Avoid if you have yin depletion with rising fire
  • Avoid when you have a cold
  • People with gout or high uric acid should limit long-boiled meat soups

Soup stories

The Hong Kong worker's back soup. People with worn out lower backs and knees boil it often through the winter.

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.