Silver Ear Mushroom Soup with Asian Pear 银耳雪梨羹

This is one of those soups that has always existed quietly in Chinese home cooking. It was never framed as a trend or a beauty hack. It was simply understood. When the air was dry, when the throat felt uncomfortable, or when skin looked dull and tired, this soup showed up on the stove.

In Traditional Chinese food culture, silver ear mushroom, also known as snow fungus, is valued for its ability to nourish yin and moisten dryness, especially related to the lungs and skin. Its naturally thick, jelly-like texture comes from polysaccharides released during slow cooking. Because of this hydrating quality, it is often nicknamed “plant collagen” in Chinese cooking, a cultural term rather than a scientific one.

Paired with Asian pear, lotus seeds, dried lily bulbs, and Chinese red dates, this soup reflects the Chinese approach to beauty and wellness through balance and consistency. It is not meant to work overnight. It is meant to be part of everyday nourishment, supporting the body gently over time.

Ingredients

• 40 g dried silver ear mushrooms

• 500 g Asian pear, about 1 pear, peeled and cut into chunks

• 30 g dried lotus seeds

• 25 g dried lily bulbs

• 77 g Chinese red dates

• 2 liters water

• 10 g Goji berries, added at the end

Directions

1. Place the dried silver ear mushroom in a bowl of room-temperature water and soak for about 2 hours, until fully hydrated and expanded. Trim off the firm yellow base.

2. Cut the mushroom into small pieces and transfer them to a large pot. Also you can snip the mushroom with a pair of scissors right into the pot. 

3. Add the water and bring to a boil over high heat.

4. Once boiling, continue cooking for about 10 minutes.

5. Stir the soup vigorously for about 20 seconds using chopsticks or a spoon. This agitation helps release the mushroom’s natural polysaccharides and encourages a thicker texture.

6. Add the Chinese red dates, dried lily bulbs, and lotus seeds.

7. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for about 40 minutes. Check and stirring occasionally.

8. Add the Asian pear and continue simmering until the soup appears glossy and lightly thickened.

9. Add the goji berries and simmer for another 10 minutes.

10. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Tips for Best Results

• Cutting the silver ear mushroom into smaller pieces helps it release more of its natural thickening components.

• Stirring early in the cooking process improves the final texture, especially if you prefer a more jelly-like consistency.

• This soup thickens further as it cools, so it may appear lighter while hot.

• Sweetness comes naturally from the pear and dates. No added sugar is needed. But in China many use rock sugar added in the end. 

• The soup can be made ahead and gently reheated. Add a small amount of water if it becomes too thick.

How to Enjoy This Soup (Traditional Approach)

• Think of this soup as gentle, long-term nourishment, not a quick fix. In Chinese food therapy, consistency matters more than frequency.

• It is traditionally enjoyed once or twice a week as part of a balanced lifestyle. There is no need to drink it daily or in large amounts.

• Beauty, in the Chinese approach, is always connected to the whole body. Skin hydration, digestion, sleep, and stress all play a role.

• This soup is especially popular during dry seasons, after staying up late, or when the throat and skin feel dry or uncomfortable.

• Pay attention to how your body feels. If you enjoy it and feel good afterward, it fits your rhythm. That is how traditional food therapy has always been practiced.

More Recipes from This Video

In this video, I shared three traditional soups that are commonly made in Chinese home kitchens for nourishment, balance, and long-term wellness. This silver ear and Asian pear soup is one of them. The other two recipes are featured in my second cookbook, Traditional Chinese Wellness Recipes. You can find all the links where to buy here: https://cookingbomb.com/pages/traditional-chinese-wellness-recipes-by-vivian-aronson

Steamed Pear with Chinese Dates and Silver Ear Mushrooms

清蒸梨水 (Qing Zheng Li Shui)

This is a very gentle preparation often used when the throat feels dry or irritated. Steaming keeps the pear moist and soothing, while silver ear mushroom adds a light, jelly-like texture. Chinese red dates bring natural sweetness and warmth. This recipe is especially popular during dry seasons or after staying up late.

Pork Rib Soup with Lotus Root and Chinese Yam

莲藕淮山猪骨汤 (Lian Ou Huai Shan Zhu Gu Tang)

This is a classic savory soup focused on strengthening and grounding the body. Pork ribs provide depth and nourishment, while lotus root and Chinese yam are traditionally used to support digestion and overall balance. This soup is commonly enjoyed as part of regular family meals, especially when the body feels tired or depleted.

Both of these recipes, along with many others, are included in my second cookbook, Traditional Chinese Wellness Recipes, where I share how these dishes are traditionally prepared and enjoyed as part of everyday Chinese food therapy.