At the table
Use a spoon to eat the soft fungus and lotus seeds with the sweet liquid. Let a hot serving cool and take small spoonfuls. Check jujubes for pits before eating.
Some preparations use pork lard, so a sweet fungus soup is not automatically vegetarian or vegan. Confirm the fat and all ingredients if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
A mild, sweet option to share at a family meal. Let it cool, chop the fungus, crush the lotus seeds and remove any jujube pits before serving children.
Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Some preparations include lard, so this sweet soup is not automatically vegan.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sweet and lightly fruity.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft fungus in a smooth, thickened soup.
- How it’s made
- Soak the dried fungus and lotus seeds, then simmer with the other ingredients until soft; sweeten with rock sugar.
Some preparations include lard, so this sweet soup is not automatically vegan.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Sichuan.
About this regional connection
Sichuan: Associated with Tongjiang, Bazhong, Sichuan.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有通江银耳莲子羹吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Tongjiang’s snow fungus in a sweet soup
Tongjiang is known for tremella, a white edible fungus also called snow fungus. In this sweet soup, it is simmered with lotus seeds, jujubes and goji berries until soft, then sweetened with rock sugar. The pale ruffled pieces are the fungus itself; they give the soup a tender texture alongside the lotus seeds.
