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Sea Cucumber & Pigeon Egg Tonic Soup

(Haishen Ge Dan Tang, 海参鸽蛋汤)

 

 

 

Sea Cucumber and Pigeon Egg Tonic Soup is a therapeutic medicinal dish that uses sea cucumber and pigeon eggs as its core ingredients. It nourishes the kidneys, replenishes jing (essence), nourishes yin, and enriches the blood. The ingredients are simmered thoroughly to combine their nutritional benefits, and supporting ingredients such as goji berries and lean pork are often added.
 

This soup is especially suitable for conditions caused by deficiency of essence and blood, weakness, or kidney yin deficiency, offering both medicinal benefits and refined flavor.

 

TCM Therapeutic Effects

• Tonifies the kidneys and replenishes jing

Sea cucumber is rich in arginine and trace minerals, which help improve symptoms such as night sweating and heat sensations due to kidney deficiency. When combined with pigeon eggs, it may help improve sperm deficiency and infertility-related issues.

 

• Nourishes yin and enriches the blood

Vitamins and amino acids promote blood circulation and are beneficial for those with qi–blood deficiency.

 

• Strengthens the spleen & moistens dryness

Calcium and phosphorus nourish the oral mucosa, and vitamin E helps slow skin aging.

 

• Boosts immunity

The rich proteins in sea cucumber help strengthen the body’s resistance, making it beneficial for patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arteriosclerosis.

 

Suitable For & Contraindications

Suitable for:

• Individuals with essence and blood deficiency
• Weak constitution due to chronic fatigue
• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease

 

Contraindicated for:

• Acute colds and flu
• High fever
• Seafood allergy

 

Additionally:

Even healthy individuals may benefit from this soup in winter, as it enhances overall resistance to cold.

 

Key & Supporting Ingredients

The core ingredients are rehydrated sea cucumber and pigeon eggs.
Typical proportions:

• Sea cucumber: 25–30 g
• Pigeon eggs: 150–160 g

 

Supporting ingredients commonly include:

• Goji berries: 25–30 g
• Lean pork
• Ginger slices
• Cooking wine

Season with salt minimally to preserve the natural flavor.

 

Cooking Method & Procedure

1. Ingredient Preparation

• Soak and cut sea cucumber into long slices.
• Place pigeon eggs in cold water and cook until about 60% done; remove shells.
• Blanch lean pork to remove impurities.
• Slice ginger and cut scallions.

 

2. Sautéing for Aroma & Initial Boiling

• Heat oil in a pot, add scallions and ginger to release fragrance.
• Add sea cucumber and stir-fry lightly.
• Pour in hot water and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cook at 100°C for around 40 minutes, adding cooking wine and light soy sauce in stages.

 

3. Ingredient Integration

• After about 20 minutes, add pigeon eggs.
• Reduce to low heat and simmer for another 15 minutes.
• Add goji berries at the end to fully extract their nutrients.

 

4. Finishing & Serving

• For each serving, place two pigeon eggs and one piece of sea cucumber in the bowl.
• Garnish with chopped scallions and additional goji berries.

 

Cooking Tips & Practical Recommendations

• Heat control:
  • High heat should not exceed 25 minutes to avoid nutrient loss.
  • Low heat helps maintain a clear broth.
• Ingredient substitution:
  • Chicken can be used instead of pork for a richer broth.
  • If using a steamer (V mode), add about 150 g of extra water.
• Enhancement:
  • Adding carrots or shiitake mushrooms provides more flavor and nutritional balance.

 

Consumption Cautions

Avoid sea cucumber if you have:

• Acute enteritis
• Bacterial dysentery
• Excess phlegm
• Asthma flare-up
• Diarrhea
• Blood stasis or dampness accumulation

 

Sea Cucumber (Hǎishēn, 海参)

Sea cucumber is a highly prized marine ingredient named for its resemblance to a cucumber. Along with ginseng, bird’s nest, and shark fin, it is considered one of the world’s top four delicacies and is also used as a traditional medicinal ingredient.

 

Characteristics & Habitat

• Biological Classification

A member of the phylum Echinodermata, class Holothuroidea, sea cucumber is known as a “living fossil” with a history of over 600 million years.

 

• Morphological Features

It has a thick, fleshy body covered with small protrusions (papillae), varying by species.

 

• Habitat

Adults are benthic creatures living on calm seabeds rich in algae.

 

• Major Production Regions

Japan, China (especially Dalian, Yantai, Weihai), Russia, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Indonesia, and others.

 

Nutritional Value & Benefits

Sea cucumber is high-protein, low-fat, and low-sugar.

Key Nutrients

• High-quality protein
• Acidic mucopolysaccharides
• Collagen
• Multiple amino acids
• Sea cucumber saponins
• Vitamins (especially E)
• Minerals: calcium, iron, selenium, iodine

 

Major Health Benefits

• Boosts immunity
• Replenishes yin & blood, strengthens kidneys and essence
• Antioxidant & anti-fatigue (especially in the intestines)
• Low-purine (but gout patients should consult a doctor)

 

Consumption Guidelines

Appropriate Intake

Adults: 30–50 g per day
1–2 sea cucumbers, 1–2 times per week.

 

Foods to Avoid Together

• Acidic foods (e.g., vinegar) — may destroy nutrients
• Tannin-rich fruits (e.g., grapes, persimmon, pomegranate, hawthorn) — may hinder protein digestion

 

Contraindications

• Seafood allergy
• Kidney patients (high potassium content)
• Best absorbed on an empty stomach, especially in the morning

 

Sea Cucumber Intestines

Usually safe when handled hygienically, and highly nutritious.

 

Pigeon Eggs (鸽蛋)

Pigeon eggs are nutrient-dense and contain high levels of protein, lecithin, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B1, and D. They nourish yin and are believed to promote beauty and skin health.

 

Nutritional Value

• Protein & Lecithin

Pigeon eggs contain 3–4 times more lecithin than chicken eggs.

 

• Vitamins

• Riboflavin content is 2.5 times higher than in chicken eggs
• Rich in vitamins A, B1, and D

• Minerals

Higher levels of calcium and iron than chicken eggs.

 

• Other Benefits

• Clears heat and detoxifies
• Enhances skin vitality
• Improves elasticity and complexion

 

How to Consume

Boiling

• Boil for 10–15 minutes
• Let stand in hot water for 5–6 minutes afterward to prevent cracking and ensure even cooking

 

Cooking with Other Dishes

• Commonly added to dishes like braised pork (Hong Shao Rou) to enhance protein content
• Example: Braised Pork with Pigeon Eggs

 

 

Vegetarian Temple Food

• “One-Pin Pigeon Egg (一品鸽蛋)” is a vegetarian dish made with tofu residue and egg, molded to resemble pigeon eggs.

 

Precautions

• Low production: A pair of pigeons usually lays only 1–2 eggs at a time.

 

How to Select Good Pigeon Eggs

• Clean, white shell
• Bright yolk color
• Firm shell
• Thick and sticky egg white
• Weight: 14–19 g