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White radish soup with Chinese asparagus

Clear soup with tian men dong and white radish: moistening and cooling.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 5 min, cooking 25 min
Makes
4 people
Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

Chinese asparagus root is regarded as moistening, for recovery after illness and dry skin. According to tradition, white radish helps clear phlegm from the lungs, cools and calms a persistent cough.

Ingredients

  • 1.25 litres water
  • 15 g Chinese asparagus (tian men dong), rinsed
  • 300 g white radish (daikon), thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 spring onion, finely chopped

Step by step

  1. Bring 500 ml of the water to the boil, add the root and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes until reduced by half.
  2. Strain the stock and discard the root.
  3. Bring the rest of the water to the boil, pour in the stock and add the radish.
  4. Simmer covered for 5–8 minutes until the radish is soft.
  5. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with spring onion.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 642

    Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

    Asparagus cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 545

    Radish

    Raphanus sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.

    Ayurveda+2

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.