Ginseng chicken soup facts for kids

Ginseng chicken soup is a special kind of soup. It uses chicken and a root called ginseng as its main ingredients. You can find different types of ginseng, like Panax ginseng, female ginseng, or pseudo ginseng, in these soups. Ginseng is often cooked with chicken in broths, porridges, and soups. This popular dish is enjoyed in many Asian countries, including China, Malaysia, and Korea.

Chinese Ginseng Chicken Soups

In China, many traditional foods are believed to have health benefits. Some Chinese chicken soups are known for their great taste, good nutrition, and health-promoting effects. These soups are often cooked with various herbs like ginseng, ginger, black mushrooms, wolf-berry fruits, and dried Chinese jujubes. Other ingredients like wine and sesame oil are also added. People often use these soups to help patients recover faster. Chinese people living in other countries also enjoy ginseng chicken soups.

Renshen Jitang: A Medicated Food

In Chinese cooking, there's a ginseng chicken soup called Renshen jitang (人蔘雞湯). This name means "Ginseng chicken soup." It's seen as a "medicated food" in Traditional Chinese medicine. People believe Renshen jitang is good for older people and those recovering from illness. It's also perfectly fine for young people to eat. There are many ways to make Chinese ginseng chicken soups. Usually, chicken, ginseng, and other ingredients are put into a large pot of boiling water. Then, they are simmered for a long time.

Dun Jitang: Double-Boiled Goodness

In Cantonese cooking, a type of ginseng chicken soup is called dun jitang or dungye tong. It's also known as "chicken herbal soup." This soup uses a special double-boiling method. The ingredients are cooked for a very long time in a pot placed inside another pot of boiling water. This method often uses ginseng roots and chicken breasts or pieces of older chicken.

A common type of double-boiled chicken soup uses dong quai (female ginseng) or panax ginseng. Chinese women often eat this soup during the first three months of pregnancy. It's also a popular dish for new mothers during their postpartum confinement period. This is a time when new mothers rest and recover, often eating special nourishing foods.

Zibu Wujitang: Black Chicken Soup

Another Chinese ginseng chicken soup is Zibu wujitang (滋补乌鸡汤). This soup is special because it uses black chicken, also known as "black chicken soup." To make it, water is boiled, then the black chicken, ginseng (or female ginseng), and other Chinese herbs are added. The mixture is boiled again and then simmered for a long time. Sometimes, rice wine is added before the heat is turned off.

Ginseng Chicken in Jilin

In Jilin cuisine, there's a unique way to prepare ginseng chicken. Ginseng is stuffed inside a young chicken. Then, the stuffed chicken is placed in a soup or broth. Finally, they are steamed together until cooked.

Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup

Samgye-tang: Korea's Famous Soup

In Korea, a very popular traditional ginseng chicken soup is called Samgye-tang (삼계탕; 蔘鷄湯). You can find this soup in restaurants all over Korea. Samgye-tang is made by stuffing a whole young chicken with glutinous rice. Then, it's boiled in a broth with Korean ginseng, dried Chinese jujubes, ginger, and garlic. It's a very comforting and healthy meal.

Malaysian Ginseng Chicken Soup

Chick Kut Teh: A Chicken Twist

In Malaysia, there's a ginseng chicken soup called Chick Kut Teh (鳮骨茶). This dish is a version of the traditional Bak Kut Teh (肉骨茶). Bak Kut Teh means "meat bone tea" and was first made by Chinese immigrants in Malaysia in the 1800s. The original Bak Kut Teh usually has pork ribs with different spices and herbs, and ginseng is a key ingredient.

Chick Kut Teh uses chicken instead of pork. The chicken is simmered in water with garlic, special bak kut teh herbs, mushrooms, tofu, and goji berries. It's a flavorful and nourishing soup.

Images for kids

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  Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Chinese Herbs

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  Double-Boiled Silkie Bantam Chicken and American Ginseng Soup.

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  田七洋参炖老鸡 Tianqi (pseudo ginseng) and Ginseng Chicken Double-boiled Soup

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  Samgyetang Chicken Ginseng Soup