老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Nourishing tonics

Pig liver, lean pork and goji-berry egg-drop soup

豬膶瘦肉枸杞蛋花湯（杞子豬膶湯）
nourishes bloodbrightens the eyesmoistens the lungscools internal fireWinterSpringAll year quick-boiled · 15 minutes A$4–7

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

Ingredients

街市Pig liver· sliced and marinated; dust with a little potato or tapioca starch first, it sets into a thin film in the heat and stays silky150 g
街市Lean pork· sliced and marinated150 g
百子櫃Goji berry / wolfberry· soak for 3 minutes1 to 2 tablespoons
街市Chicken egg (hard-boiled)· beaten, poured in just before the heat goes off to make 蛋花1 to 2
街市Fresh ginger2 to 3 slices

Method

Ingredients go in only once the water boils. Dusting the pig liver with potato or tapioca starch keeps it silky. Pour the egg in as a thin stream just before the heat goes off to make 蛋花 (egg flower), and do not stir until it has set.

  1. Bring 6 bowls of water to the boil, then add the ginger slices and the lean pork.
  2. A few minutes later add the pig liver and the goji berries.
  3. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in the beaten egg just before turning off the heat to make 蛋花 (egg flower).
  5. Season with salt and ground pepper and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • traditionally taken to nourish the blood, support the liver and eyes, moisten the lungs and cool heat (the Ming Pao 王子煮場 framing)
  • best in winter and spring, but fine all year

Who should take care

  • people with high cholesterol should limit pig liver (same as for 枸杞葉豬膶瘦肉湯)
  • people with inflammation or an open wound should not add sesame oil or wine (HK01's note)

Soup stories

This is the leafless version, made with dried goji berries when 枸杞菜 is out of season, proof that a pig liver quick-boil is a weekly regular rather than a seasonal treat.

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.