Vegan Lotus Root Soup
A beautifully clear, gently nourishing soup featuring crisp-tender lotus root slices with their distinctive lace-like pattern, slow-simmered with sweet red dates, bright goji berries, and fresh aromatics. Light, clean, and subtly sweet — comforting and restorative, with no heavy oils or animal stocks. Perfect as a light appetizer, side soup, or soothing wellness dish, naturally plant-based and gentle on digestion.
Shared by yuki
Time
50 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
🛒 Ingredients
- #Main Ingredients;
- 300 g fresh lotus root — peeled, trimmed, and cut into 5 mm thick round slices
- 6–8 pieces red dates (jujube) — pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp goji berries — rinsed well,, 1.2 L clean water or light vegetable broth
- #Aromatics & Seasoning;
- 2–3 thin slices fresh ginger.. 1 tsp coconut sugar or rock sugar — adjust to taste
- ½ tsp fine sea salt — or to taste.. 1 tbsp neutral oil (optional, for gentle sauté)
- 2 tbsp fresh scallion — thinly sliced, for garnish.. Fresh cilantro — chopped, for garnish (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prep the lotus root: Peel the lotus root thoroughly, rinse away any dirt, then slice into neat rounds. Soak briefly in lightly salted water for 5 minutes to prevent discolouration, then drain well.
- 2
Build the base: Place water or vegetable broth in a soup pot. Add ginger slices, red dates, and drained lotus root slices. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- 3
Simmer gently: Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer at a quiet bubble for 30–35 minutes — do not boil rapidly — until the lotus root is tender yet still holds a pleasant slight crunch, and the broth has turned gently sweet and aromatic.
- 4
Finish the soup: Add goji berries, sugar, and salt. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes — goji berries soften quickly so they stay bright and plump. Taste and adjust sweetness or salt to your liking.
- 5
Serve: Ladle gently into bowls. Top generously with fresh sliced scallion and a sprinkle of cilantro if using. Enjoy hot and fresh — the broth is light, restorative, and best enjoyed warm!