Lotus Root Soup: The Soup That Tastes Better the Next Day
A timeless recipe for health, comfort & leftovers!
Lotus root soup belongs to the category of recipe that takes minimal effort but gives you maximum comfort – perfect for when you’re too busy to think about dinner but still want something healthy and homemade. Plus, it’s a meal-prep dream: make a big pot, and you’ll have nourishing leftovers that taste even better the next day!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: varies based on cooking equipment
Serves: 4
Ingredients
500g soup bone (pork)
1-2 medium dried cuttlefish
Handful of dried scallops
400g lotus root, cut
dried peanuts
3-4 small dried red dates
large handful of goji berries
Water
Fish sauce or salt
Notes
Pork bones is traditionally used to make this dish but you can use chicken as well. I personally feel the flavour is better with pork bones
You don’t have to follow the measurements here religiously, use as much or little as you like!
Method
Par-boil soup bones by filling the pot with water & adding the bones directly into it
Start the heat on the stove and let the water & bones boil for a few minutes. You should see that a lot of scum & impurities from the bones would appear on the surface of the water.
Set bones aside and rinse the pot thoroughly
Add all the ingredients and par-boiled soup bones into the clean pot, except goji berries. Ensure that the water level is well above all the ingredients - I like to add till its about 5cm above all the ingredients.
I set it to cook for 30 minutes in my pressure cooker. If I’m cooking over the stove, I’ll let it simmer for at least 45 - 60 minutes. It is okay to let it cook for longer, but your heat should be reduced if you’re going to let it simmer for longer than an hour. Do check on the water level and add extra if needed when cooking on the stove.
Add goji berries into the soup a few minutes before serving
Season & taste with fish sauce or salt
Notes
You can skip par-boiling the soup bones but your resulting soup might have some scum & impurities.
If it’s your first time trying this recipe, I’ll recommend cooking over the stove as it gives you more control during the cooking process. You are able to watch the water level at any time as opposed to locking everything in a pressure cooker.
If you’re unsure about how much water to add, just know that your ingredients should be submerged at all times. Also know that it’s usually easier to add water than to remove water once the dish is cooked. However, if you find that your soup is very watered down even after seasoning it, you can reduce the soup without the lid on until your desired flavour is achieved!
Why It’s Perfect for Busy Days
One of the best things about lotus root soup is how it simplifies your life. It’s a one-pot dish you can prepare in advance, and it only gets better with time. Make it on Sunday, and you’ve got a nourishing, ready-to-go meal waiting for you during the week – perfect for hectic schedules or when you just don’t feel like cooking.
