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Four Herbs Soup (Si Shen Tang - 四神汤)

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.

Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
2 hrs mins
Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 81 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Chinese

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

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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

% 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.