# Cantonese Soups (湯)

> Cantonese soups, cooling to warming: 51 classic Cantonese soup recipes (老火湯 slow-boiled, 燉湯 double-boiled, 滾湯 quick soups and 糖水 sweet soups). Each page lists ingredients in US and metric units, where to buy them, the method, and whether the soup is traditionally cooling, neutral or warming, with sources.

Recipes are written by the site. Ingredient natures come from the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society food table, the Hong Kong Department of Health Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office, and the Me & Qi herb database. This is traditional food lore, not medical advice. Amazon links are affiliate links.

Every soup page also has: an illustrated pot, an ingredient checklist that fills a pot as you tick what you have and builds an Amazon cart of the rest, a servings scaler, a start-time planner, a cooking mode with step timers, and up to six hand-picked YouTube videos of people making it (Cantonese, English or Mandarin). Requests and feedback go to /api/feedback.

## Key pages
- [All soups](https://cantonesesoups.com/)
- [Ingredient guide](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/)
- [About and sources](https://cantonesesoups.com/about/)

## Soups
- [Watercress and pork bone soup (西洋菜豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/watercress-pork/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear lung heat and ease a dry throat in autumn and winter.
- [Lotus root, octopus and pork rib soup (蓮藕章魚豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/lotus-root-pork-rib/): neutral; Traditionally believed to strengthen the spleen and nourish the blood.
- [ABC soup (tomato, potato and carrot) (番茄薯仔紅蘿蔔湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/abc-soup/): neutral; A gentle everyday soup; potato and carrot are traditionally said to settle the stomach.
- [Winter melon, coix seed and lotus leaf soup (冬瓜薏米荷葉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/winter-melon-barley/): cooling; Traditionally believed to beat summer heat and drain dampness.
- [Ching bo leung pork soup (清補涼瘦肉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/ching-bo-leung/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear heat gently while still nourishing; a family favorite in humid weather.
- [Green and red radish soup with corn (青紅蘿蔔粟米豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/green-red-radish/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear heat, help digestion and ease dryness.
- [Chayote and corn soup (合掌瓜粟米豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/chayote-corn/): neutral; Traditionally believed to settle the stomach and move qi; an easy weeknight soup.
- [Apple and snow fungus soup (蘋果雪耳瘦肉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/apple-snow-fungus/): cooling; Traditionally believed to moisten the lungs and skin in dry autumn weather.
- [Papaya, peanut and fish tail soup (木瓜花生魚尾湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/papaya-fish/): neutral; Traditionally given to new mothers and said to moisten skin and help digestion.
- [Old cucumber and rice bean soup (老黃瓜赤小豆湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/old-cucumber/): cooling; Traditionally believed to drain damp and cool you down in muggy summer weather.
- [Kudzu root, rice bean and mud carp soup (粉葛赤小豆鯪魚湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/kudzu-mud-carp/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear damp-heat and relax stiff, tired muscles.
- [Dried cereus flower and pork soup (霸王花豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/bawanghua/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear lung heat and calm a dry cough.
- [Abrus herb (jigucao) and pork soup (雞骨草豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/jigucao/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear damp-heat and support the liver after late nights.
- [Prunella and black bean soup (夏枯草黑豆瘦肉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/prunella-black-bean/): cooling; Traditionally believed to calm liver fire: red eyes, irritability, a hot head.
- [Shashen and yuzhu pork soup (沙參玉竹豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/shashen-yuzhu/): cooling; Traditionally believed to moisten dry lungs and a dry, tickly throat.
- [Asian pear and apricot kernel soup (南北杏雪梨瘦肉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/pear-almond/): cooling; Traditionally believed to moisten the lungs and soothe a dry, hot cough.
- [Dried bok choy and pork bone soup (菜乾豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/dried-bokchoy/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear heat and ease autumn dryness.
- [Carrot, water chestnut and corn soup (紅蘿蔔馬蹄粟米湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/carrot-water-chestnut/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear heat and help after too much fried food.
- [Hairy gourd and dried scallop soup (節瓜瑤柱湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/hairy-gourd-scallop/): neutral; Traditionally believed to quench thirst and refresh in summer without being too cold.
- [Bitter melon and soybean rib soup (苦瓜黃豆排骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/bitter-melon-soybean/): cooling; Traditionally believed to clear summer heat and cool a fiery temper.
- [Peanut, black-eyed pea and chicken feet soup (花生眉豆雞腳湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/peanut-chicken-feet/): neutral; Traditionally believed to strengthen tendons and the spleen and drain mild damp.
- [Hairy fig root (wuzhimaotao) soup (五指毛桃豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/wuzhimaotao/): neutral; Traditionally believed to strengthen the spleen and lungs and lift a heavy, damp feeling.
- [Gastrodia and fish head soup (天麻川芎魚頭湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/tianma-fish-head/): warming; Traditionally believed to ease wind-type headaches and dizziness.
- [White pepper pork stomach soup (胡椒豬肚湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/pepper-pork-stomach/): warming; Traditionally believed to warm a cold stomach and ease winter chill.
- [Corn and carrot pork bone soup (粟米紅蘿蔔豬骨湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/corn-carrot-pork/): neutral; The everyday house soup: sweet, mild and said to be kind to the stomach.
- [Lotus seed and lily bulb soup (蓮子百合瘦肉湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/lily-lotus-seed/): neutral; Traditionally believed to calm the mind and help restless sleep.
- [Chestnut and shiitake chicken soup (栗子冬菇雞湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/chestnut-chicken/): warming; Traditionally believed to warm and strengthen the body in cold months.
- [Cordyceps flower and yam chicken soup (蟲草花淮山雞湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/cordyceps-flower-chicken/): neutral; Traditionally believed to support the lungs and kidneys without being too heating.
- [Dong quai and astragalus chicken soup (當歸黃芪紅棗雞湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/dong-quai-chicken/): warming; Traditionally believed to nourish blood and qi, often after a period or childbirth.
- [Codonopsis, yam and goji chicken soup (黨參淮山杞子雞湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/codonopsis-chicken/): warming; Traditionally believed to lift tiredness and a poor appetite.
- [Winter melon cup (冬瓜盅)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/winter-melon-cup/): cooling; A summer banquet soup traditionally believed to clear heat and refresh.
- [Double-boiled ginseng chicken (人參燉雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/ginseng-chicken/): warming; Traditionally believed to restore energy after illness or exhaustion.
- [Double-boiled American ginseng silkie chicken (花旗參燉竹絲雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/american-ginseng-chicken/): cooling; Traditionally believed to restore energy and fluids without heating you up.
- [Double-boiled coconut chicken (椰子燉雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/coconut-chicken/): neutral; Traditionally believed to moisten and nourish without heating.
- [Double-boiled fish maw chicken (花膠燉雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/fish-maw-chicken/): neutral; Traditionally believed to nourish yin and blood and keep skin supple.
- [Double-boiled Asian pear with fritillaria (川貝燉雪梨)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/chuanbei-pear/): cooling; The classic home remedy for a dry, hot cough with sticky phlegm.
- [West Lake beef soup (西湖牛肉羹)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/west-lake-beef/): neutral; A Cantonese banquet classic; beef is traditionally said to build strength.
- [Sweet corn and fish maw thick soup (粟米魚肚羹)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/corn-fish-maw-soup/): neutral; A comforting starter that is traditionally said to nourish and be kind to the stomach.
- [Tomato, tofu and egg drop soup (番茄豆腐蛋花湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/tomato-egg-tofu/): cooling; A 15-minute 滾湯 that is traditionally said to quench thirst.
- [Cilantro and fish slice soup (芫荽魚片湯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/cilantro-fish-slice/): warming; A quick soup traditionally made to chase off a mild chill.
- [Red bean sweet soup with tangerine peel (陳皮紅豆沙)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/red-bean-soup/): neutral; Traditionally believed to drain damp and be easy on the stomach.
- [Mung bean and kelp sweet soup (海帶綠豆沙)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/mung-bean-soup/): cooling; The classic summer cooler, traditionally believed to clear heat and toxins.
- [Ginger sweet potato soup (番薯糖水)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/ginger-sweet-potato/): warming; Traditionally believed to warm the stomach and chase off a chill.
- [Yuba, ginkgo and barley sweet soup (腐竹白果薏米糖水)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/yuba-ginkgo/): neutral; Traditionally believed to moisten the lungs and keep skin clear.
- [Papaya and snow fungus sweet soup (木瓜雪耳糖水)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/papaya-snow-fungus/): neutral; Traditionally believed to moisten the lungs and skin.
- [Black sesame soup (芝麻糊)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/black-sesame-soup/): neutral; Traditionally believed to nourish the liver and kidneys and keep hair dark.
- [Walnut sweet soup (合桃露)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/walnut-soup/): warming; Traditionally believed to warm the kidneys and ease a dry, wheezy cough.
- [Almond tea (apricot kernel soup) (杏仁茶)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/almond-tea/): neutral; Traditionally believed to moisten the lungs and skin.
- [Coconut sago sweet soup (椰汁西米露)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/sago-coconut/): neutral; A light, cooling-feeling dessert that is gentle on the stomach.
- [Longan and red date tea (桂圓紅棗茶)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/longan-red-date-tea/): warming; Traditionally believed to nourish blood and calm the mind, often after a period.
- [Glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup (薑汁湯圓)](https://cantonesesoups.com/soups/ginger-tangyuan/): warming; The winter solstice sweet; ginger syrup is traditionally believed to warm you through.

## Ingredients
- [Pork bones (豬骨)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/pork-bones/)
- [Pork spare ribs (排骨)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/pork-ribs/)
- [Lean pork (瘦肉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/lean-pork/)
- [Pork shank (豬腱)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/pork-shank/)
- [Whole chicken (雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chicken/)
- [Silkie (black) chicken (竹絲雞)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/black-chicken/)
- [Chicken feet (雞腳)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chicken-feet/)
- [Pork stomach (豬肚)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/pork-tripe/)
- [Minced beef (牛肉碎)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/beef-mince/)
- [Bighead carp head (大魚頭)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/fish-head/)
- [Grass carp tail (鯇魚尾)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/fish-tail/)
- [Mud carp (鯪魚)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/mud-carp/)
- [Eggs (雞蛋)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/eggs/)
- [Silken tofu (豆腐)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/tofu/)
- [Watercress (西洋菜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/watercress/)
- [Lotus root (蓮藕)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/lotus-root/)
- [Winter melon (冬瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/winter-melon/)
- [Carrot (紅蘿蔔)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/carrot/)
- [Green radish (青蘿蔔)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/green-radish/)
- [Sweet corn (粟米)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/corn/)
- [Chayote (合掌瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chayote/)
- [Hairy gourd (fuzzy melon) (節瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/hairy-gourd/)
- [Bitter melon (苦瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/bitter-melon/)
- [Old (yellow) cucumber (老黃瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/old-cucumber/)
- [Tomato (番茄)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/tomato/)
- [Potato (薯仔)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/potato/)
- [Onion (洋蔥)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/onion/)
- [Papaya (木瓜)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/papaya/)
- [Apple (蘋果)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/apple/)
- [Asian pear (snow pear) (雪梨)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/snow-pear/)
- [Water chestnuts (馬蹄)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/water-chestnut/)
- [Kudzu root (粉葛)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/kudzu-root/)
- [Chestnuts (栗子)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chestnuts/)
- [Sweet potato (番薯)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/sweet-potato/)
- [Fresh ginger (生薑)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/ginger/)
- [Scallion (蔥)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/scallion/)
- [Cilantro (芫荽)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/cilantro/)
- [Mature coconut (椰子)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/young-coconut/)
- [Dried bok choy (菜乾)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/dried-bokchoy/)
- [Candied dates (honey dates) (蜜棗)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/honey-dates/)
- [Red dates (jujubes) (紅棗)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/red-dates/)
- [Goji berries (杞子)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/goji/)
- [Apricot kernels (south and north) (南北杏)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/apricot-kernels/)
- [Sweet apricot kernels (南杏)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/south-almond/)
- [Dried tangerine peel (陳皮)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chenpi/)
- [Snow fungus (white fungus) (雪耳)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/snow-fungus/)
- [Lotus seeds (蓮子)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/lotus-seeds/)
- [Dried lily bulb (百合)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/lily-bulb/)
- [Solomon's seal (yuzhu) (玉竹)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/yuzhu/)
- [Glehnia root (shashen) (沙參)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/shashen/)
- [Dried Chinese yam (淮山)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chinese-yam/)
- [Fox nut (euryale seed) (芡實)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/fox-nut/)
- [Job's tears (coix seed) (薏米)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/jobs-tears/)
- [Dried longan flesh (桂圓肉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/longan/)
- [Raw peanuts (red skin) (花生)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/peanuts/)
- [Black-eyed peas (眉豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/black-eyed-peas/)
- [Red (adzuki) beans (紅豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/red-beans/)
- [Rice beans (chixiaodou) (赤小豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/rice-beans/)
- [Mung beans (綠豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/mung-beans/)
- [Soybeans (黃豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/soybeans/)
- [Black soybeans (黑豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/black-beans/)
- [White hyacinth beans (白扁豆)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/hyacinth-beans/)
- [Dried octopus (章魚乾)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/dried-octopus/)
- [Dried scallops (conpoy) (瑤柱)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/dried-scallops/)
- [Dried shrimp (蝦米)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/dried-shrimp/)
- [Dried fish maw (花膠)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/fish-maw/)
- [Dried shiitake (冬菇)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/shiitake/)
- [Dried night-blooming cereus flower (霸王花)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/bawanghua/)
- [Dried lotus leaf (荷葉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/lotus-leaf/)
- [Dried bean curd sticks (yuba) (腐竹)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/yuba/)
- [Ginkgo nuts (白果)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/ginkgo/)
- [Black sesame seeds (黑芝麻)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/black-sesame/)
- [Walnuts (合桃)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/walnuts/)
- [Small sago pearls (西米)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/sago/)
- [Glutinous rice flour (糯米粉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/glutinous-rice-flour/)
- [Coconut milk (椰汁)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/coconut-milk/)
- [Rice (白米)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/rice/)
- [Rock sugar (冰糖)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/rock-sugar/)
- [Brown slab sugar (片糖)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/slab-sugar/)
- [White peppercorns (白胡椒粒)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/white-pepper/)
- [Dried kelp (海帶)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/kelp/)
- [Cornstarch (粟粉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/cornstarch/)
- [Canned creamed corn (粟米蓉)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/creamed-corn/)
- [Ginseng root (人參)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/ginseng/)
- [American ginseng (花旗參)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/american-ginseng/)
- [Astragalus root (huangqi) (黃芪)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/astragalus/)
- [Dong quai (angelica root) (當歸)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/dong-quai/)
- [Codonopsis root (dangshen) (黨參)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/codonopsis/)
- [Abrus herb (jigucao) (雞骨草)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/jigucao/)
- [Self-heal spike (prunella) (夏枯草)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/prunella/)
- [Gastrodia tuber (tianma) (天麻)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/gastrodia/)
- [Sichuan lovage (chuanxiong) (川芎)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/chuanxiong/)
- [Fritillaria bulb (chuanbei) (川貝)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/fritillaria/)
- [Hairy fig root (wuzhimaotao) (五指毛桃)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/wuzhimaotao/)
- [Cordyceps flower (蟲草花)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/cordyceps-flower/)
- [Smilax root (tufuling) (土茯苓)](https://cantonesesoups.com/ingredients/tufuling/)