food 4 tots

Green radish and carrot soup (青红萝卜汤)

green radish, carrots, soup, chinese soup, cough remedy, food for toddlers, recipe for toddlers


Unlike adults, when babies and toddlers develop phlegm, it usually takes longer for them to clear it. One reason is they do not know how to split out the phlegm. Even my 5 year old son is still unable to do so even after teaching him how to do it. So far, he only managed to split out saliva, but not the phlegm. The only consolation is he knows how to clear his blocked nose.


I, like most parents, have been searching a remedy for clearing phlegm. Alas! I have yet to find the miracle remedy except to rely on medication prescribed by the pediatrician and avoid giving him certain known phlegm-inducing food like citrus fruit. I still believe the best remedy is to get adequate sleep and have a proper diet so as to boost our body’s immune system naturally. So far, I noticed this has helped my son to recover quickly.


green radish, carrots


Recently, I chanced upon this soup recipe from a Chinese soup recipe book which is said to be a remedy for those with a sore throat and lots of phlegm. It is written by Chiu Sang (赵生), a well known Hong Kong author, columnist, guest speaker and TV guest host relating to Chinese medicine.


Other benefits mentioned in the cookbook for this soup include helping in the strengthening of one’s spleen and throat, promote urination, clears excess body heat, ease mental stress, expel phlegm and stop coughing.


Below are the functions of each of the ingredients used in the soup:

  • Green radish and carrot (青红萝卜) – clear heat, ease mental stress, promote urination and expel dampness.
  • Bitter and sweet almonds (北南杏) (also known as bitter and sweet apricot kernels or seeds)  – nourish the lungs, ease shortness of breath, expel phlegm and stop coughing.  (Note: These ingredients can be used in making apple soup). Sweet almonds/ sweet apricot kernels or seeds (南杏)- It tastes sweet and is neutral in nature. It is non-toxic and relieves cough. Bitter almonds/ bitter apricot kernels or seeds (北杏)- It heals cough and expels phlegm. [WARNING: As bitter almond carries a slight trace of toxins (cyanide), please use it with extreme caution. There is a concern about the potential health effects associated with large numbers of bitter apricot kernels being consumed on a regular basis, particularly by young children (as mentioned in this link). It is also not advisable for pregnant ladies. If you’re not comfortable eating it, then exclude it from the recipe. Other reading reference: Is it safe to eat bitter apricot kernels by David Lebovitz.
  • Candied dates (蜜枣) – nourish the body, cure asthenia, strengthen and energize the body


This soup is also very simple-to-made and tastes delicious. Hence, I love making this soup for my family. Just how effective this soup is in remedying cough and phlegm, I am not sure. But, no harm trying it out and judge it for yourself.

Wishing all parents in Singapore and Malaysia having a wonderful June holiday breaks!


>>>> Click on PAGE 2 BELOW for green radish and carrot soup recipe ……………


green radish, carrots, soup, Chinese, phlegm remedy

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84 Comments

  1. Never saw GREEN radish before…very interesting!

  2. LCOM says:

    The green radish is so interesting! I have yet to see one here. This soup must be very sweet, I like what you put in it.

  3. Joanne says:

    This soup really is full of superfoods! I am going to make it next time I have a cold. I hate phlegm. It just feels so….icky.

  4. I’ve never seen green radish before. My mum used to boil Chinese pear and almond 北南杏soup for us when we have cough.

    • food-4tots says:

      Pigpigscorner: It’s the 1st time I cooked green radish. I will share a recipe using Chinese pear and Chinese almonds in my upcoming post soon. 😉

  5. anncoo says:

    hehee…I just cooked this yesterday ;DD

  6. This looks gorgeous LK. It really looks so good. I want to try it soon…

    And I’m so intrigued by all the ingredients I’m not familiar with! Think it’s time for another wandering around the wet market…

  7. Oh and how did you get the beautiful chinese calligraphy font??

  8. peanutts says:

    Hello, I know the feeling , i hate it when that happens. Although not sure my son is going to swallow that soup. looks lovely by the way 🙂

    • food-4tots says:

      Peanutts: Yeah, that’s why it is important to make sure our kids have a strong immune system. Thanks! You can try my apple soup instead. 😉

  9. Tammy says:

    where can i get this green radish?

  10. Little Inbox says:

    Is the green radish tastes like white radish?

  11. Swee SAn says:

    The raw green radish looks like candied lime slices. So cute!! I’ve never came across green radish before…

  12. wow i love this soup, must try this coming weekend! 🙂

  13. Sidney Kan says:

    Just awesome, such a nutricious soup yet simple to make! lovely

  14. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Topia GreenStop, Lai Kuan. Lai Kuan said: Green radish and carrot soup – a remedy for those with a sore throat and lots of phelgm. http://bit.ly/9HDJlk […]

  15. Alice says:

    Oh! I need this and I would give it a try as my son also having cough and phlegm, including myself…. 🙁 Thanks for sharing!

  16. Little Inbox says:

    Oh I see. Ok, will give it a try soon. 🙂

  17. noobcook says:

    This soup is so nourishing. I love your photos – I have problems capturing Chinese soups hehe … and I heard raves about green carrot for detoxification as well, so yummy.

  18. tigerfish says:

    I enjoy green radish soup but I hardly find them in the supermarket. So my regular is white radish which clears phlegm too and quite a comfort for me when I have stubborn phlegm as well. I like natural remedy – does not matter if scientifically proven since I believe it nourishes us in one way or another.

    • food-4tots says:

      Tigerfish: I saw green radish in NTUC supermarket. Natural remedy is good but it will depend on individual’s health condition for its effectiveness. 😉

  19. Oh, love this soup from childhood. I don’t know why my mum cooked this soup for us. I just love having it all the time. Whenever I come across good quality of 青蘿蔔, I’ll definitely cook this soup for my family. 🙂

  20. jo says:

    I never knew this soup was good for sore throat. Hmm I’ll have to take note next time .. haha not that I would like to be down with a bad throat. Lovely pictures.

  21. Anh says:

    Very nice. I like green radish but they are very hard to find in Australia

  22. Dora says:

    Must be a sweet soup for healing throat!

  23. sweetlife says:

    wonderful soup, I bet it would make anyone feel better…grenn radishes wow I must try to find these..

    sweetlife

  24. Christine says:

    hi, i very frequent boiled this soup for my family. you may try this recipe too…GREEN + RED + WHITE RADISH , pork and dry oyster (hou si)..the taste is fantastic. i had this recipe from one Australia aunty which i meet her in one of our local super market…HAPPY TRYING !

  25. cj_nyc says:

    yay! green radish is available at my local asian supermarket. i will definitely try this..thanks for sharing.

  26. Oh! You are here! I’ve missed out so much about your blog. I think I’ve added you in my blog list but somehow I just realized you’ve moved to a new link. No wonder I didn’t read your posting for so long. So sorry about that! Oh no.. I’ve really miss out a lot of your cooking and baking. Ok, I got to update my blog list now. Cheers!

    • food-4tots says:

      Kitchen Corner: Hi Grace, welcome to my new home! Glad you find your way here. Hehehe! Thank you very much for updating my new link in your blog list!! Hope to see you again! 😉

  27. Jenny says:

    Hi hi .. I would like to cook this soup for my daughter and husband. Both are down with cough and have lots of phlegm. Would like to know where to buy the sweet almonds?

    • food-4tots says:

      Jenny: You can buy them from any Chinese medicine hall like Yu Ren Shen or Hock Hua (if you are in Singapore). Hope both of them have a speedy recovery. 😉

  28. Jenny says:

    Thank you : ) Looking forward to the soup ..

  29. Jenny says:

    Hi there, I tried out the recipe last Saturday and it was well received by both my husband and daughter. I will definitely try it again : ) Thank you : )

  30. MK says:

    Hi, where i can get the green radish? i cant find it in Medan!

  31. MK says:

    can I replace with white radish ?

  32. MK says:

    ok. noted thks! i just tried to cook it with carrot and the meat only! my girls love it too!

  33. Alethea Chan says:

    Hi,
    Would it be safe for a 22mths old toddler to consume the Green Radish and Red Carrot Soup you have written? The purpose is to help my nephew to get rid of phelgm which is lingering after a cold. I am not sure whether the sweet almonds will pose any ‘nut’ allergies issue? I do not wish to use the bitter almonds if I am making the soup. Many thanks for your advice.

    • food-4tots says:

      Alethea Chan: It is advisable to introduce any nuts, tree nuts or nut related recipes to your nephew at a later date. Since he is only 22 months old, I would suggest that you consult his pediatrician for advice and medication on how to clear his phelgm. Hope it helps.

  34. HT says:

    Where can I find Green Radish in Melbourne? Are they seasonal?

    I saw another recipe using green apples, is it ok to replace them for the same outcome i.e. to rid the phlegm and cough?

    I actually tried eating the chinese pears instead of making it into soup thinking that it will rid my sorethroat and cough but i ended up with more coughing….

    • food-4tots says:

      HT: Sorry, I’m not sure about Melbourne. They are not seasonal. Maybe you can try to find them in any Asian stores or supermarket at Chinatown. I haven’t tried substituting green apples for this recipe but I did share a similar recipe that used red apples as shown in this link: https://food-4tots.com/2009/07/25/apple-soup/. It is not advisable to eat raw Chinese pears if you are having sore throat and cough. If your sore throat and cough still persist, I suggest that you seek advices from your family doctor. Hope you have a speedy recovery. 🙂

  35. Annie says:

    Where can I get the green radish in PJ/KL area?

    • food-4tots says:

      Annie: Sorry, I’m not sure about it as I haven’t been to PJ/KL markets for a long time after moving to Singapore. Maybe you can try wet market at Kepong Baru or SS2. 😉

  36. Ling says:

    Hi Lai Kuan,

    I tried this soup yesterday and it was tasty like you said! 😀 I have been seeing this interesting root veggie for a while but don’t know how to cook it until you shared it on your blog. My girl and hubby were both coughing and this soup was just what they need! Thanks 😀

    • food-4tots says:

      Ling: Thanks for your kind feedback. It seems that the sick flu is everywhere now. Hope both your hubby and gal have a speedy recovery! 😉

      • Ling says:

        Thanks, Lai Kuan. The whole family came down with flu or cold of some sort…spread to one another lah. But we are on our way to recovery now. Thank God.

        BTW, for the both times I cooked this soup, the green radish was quite bitter. Another mother told me this was not supposed to be the case. Any idea? I read that radish could be bitter depending on colour and season…but I wish to know how to pick those that are not bitter…

        • food-4tots says:

          Ling: Sorry for the late reply. Hope your family are fully recovered by now. I’m not sure about the problem you encountered. So far, mine tastes quite ok even though it is not super sweet. Did you peel the skin deep enough?

  37. Ling says:

    Hi Lai Kuan,

    Thanks for your concern. We’re more or less well now 🙂

    I peeled the skin as I would with other root veggies…I shall do deep peeling the next time. Ya, I heard from one mom about using carrot, green and white radish too in her soup. Just the other day, I was thinking about putting carrot and daikon in my miso soup…having second thoughts now!

  38. Eliza says:

    Does white radish with carrot have the same purpose as green radish with carrot?

  39. huiqi says:

    I was told that the ratio for sweet & bitter almonds is 2:1 and I adj to 20 & 10gm, and lean pork to Pork loin(rib) instead. Is the soup supposed to be sweet as i find it like drinking deesert? lol.

    • food-4tots says:

      Huiqi: This recipe is adapted from a book written by Chiu Sang (赵生), a well known Hong Kong author, columnist, guest speaker and TV guest host relating to Chinese medicine. But you are free to adjust the ingredients to suit your liking. This soup has the natural sweetness but doesn’t taste as sweet as dessert. Maybe during simmering, your heat source is slightly higher than mine. So. it will cause more water to be evaporated making the soup sweeter at the end of simmering. Thus, I would suggest that you use 1.8 liter in your next attempt.

  40. Eat Wat says:

    Hi Can green carrot mix with red carrot? I read a article before saying that Red n Green Carrot cannot be cook together as the red carrot will destroy the vitamins of the green carrot.

  41. Cherie says:

    Hi! Do you know if I can use the sweet almonds then for 2 year old toddler? Thanks! 🙂

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