Four Herbs Soup (Si Shen Tang - 四神汤)
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4.9
24 reviews
Excellent
Four Herbs Soup (Si Shen Tang - 四神汤)
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Four Herbs Soup, or sì shén tāng (四神汤), got its name from its use of four key Chinese medicinal herbs: dried fox nut barley, lotus seeds, Chinese yam, and poria cocos mushrooms. You may also see this recipe translated as Chinese Four Gods Soup or Four Spirits Soup.
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Ingredients
- 30 g dried fox nut barley (芡实, qiànshí)
- 25 g dried lotus seeds (莲子, liánzǐ; make sure bitter green centers are removed; look for a brand that's done it for you already!)
- 30 g dried Chinese yam slices (山药, shānyào)
- 35 g poria cocos mushrooms (苻苓, fú líng)
- 2 pounds pork neck bones (or 100g dried soybeans as a vegetarian option)
- 5 slices ginger (⅛-inch/3mm thick and 2 inches/5cm long)
- 6 ounces carrot about 1 medium, cut into 1½-inch (4cm) chunks
- 12 ounces daikon radish about 1 small, cut into 1½-inch (4cm) chunks
- 10 cups water
- salt to taste
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Instructions
- Soak the dried fox nut barley, dried lotus seeds, dried Chinese yam, and poria cocos mushrooms in a bowl with enough water so that everything is submerged.
- Meanwhile, soak the pork bones in cold water for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly, and drain. In a large thick-bottomed stock pot, add the pork bones and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately drain the pork bones through a colander and rinse them clean. Wash the soup pot as well. This soaking and boiling process washes away impurities and keeps the soup clear.
- Add the pork back to the pot. Drain the dried herbs, and add to the pot as well, along with the ginger, carrot, daikon, and 10 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. The water should be moving at a slow simmer—not simmering rapidly or boiling. Cook for 2 hours.
- Add salt to taste just before serving. We like to enjoy the meat from the pork bones with light soy sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include added salt.
- This soup tastes better the next day, so you can make it in advance as well!
- This soup tastes better the next day, so you can make it in advance as well!
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
81kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Sodium
53mg
(2%)
Potassium
386mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
4739IU
(95%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
46mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 81 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 81kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 53mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 386mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 4739IU | 95% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
24 reviews
Excellent
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