Delicious Bird’s Nest Soup Recipes to Win Over the Whole Family

Bird’s nest soup is a nutritious, easy-to-digest dish suitable for all ages — from adults and postpartum women to young children. With its naturally sweet flavor and high nutritional value, edible bird’s nest soup not only nourishes the body but also expresses care and love for your family.

In this article, Yen Sao Hoang Kim shares 6 bird’s nest soup recipes that are both delicious and nutrient-preserving — simple to make at home. Let’s dive in!

1. Bird’s Nest Soup with Abalone

Bird’s nest abalone soup pairs two premium delicacies, rich in protein, low in fat, and abundant in minerals such as calcium, selenium, and zinc. This dish helps restore health, boost immunity, and is ideal for those recovering from illness.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 1 bird’s nest (8–10 g)
• 6–7 abalones (about 500 g)
• 500 g chicken bones
• 20 g dried red dates (jujubes)
• 60 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• Sweet corn, shallots, ginger
• Seasonings: salt, sugar, chicken bouillon, pepper, sesame oil

How to make

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Place the bird’s nest in a small bowl and soak with 500 ml of filtered water (boiled and cooled) so it can expand fully.

Soak time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Once softened, you can gently shred the nest for cooking. Rinse chicken bones with salted water, then blanch in boiling water so the broth stays clean and free of strong odors.

Put the bones in a pot with 1.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower to a gentle simmer. Scrub abalones thoroughly to remove dirt and algae. After cleaning, rub with a bit of salt and fresh lemon to eliminate any fishy smell.

Prep the remaining ingredients

Soak red dates, sweet corn, and mushrooms in lightly salted water to clean. For shiitake, trim the stems and clean the caps.

Marinate the abalone

Marinate abalone with 1 tsp bouillon, a pinch of salt, 1 tsp sesame oil, and pepper for 20 minutes. Then add the abalone to the simmering chicken stock. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the soup

Add red dates and simmer for 5 minutes, then add sweet corn. Next, add shiitake mushrooms and simmer for 15 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and stir well.

Ladle into a soup tureen, place the bird’s nest on top along with a few thin slices of ginger. Cover and steam over low heat for 20 minutes.

After just over an hour at the stove, you’ll have a nutrient-dense “delicacy” ready to enjoy. The broth is glossy and rich, vegetables tender and naturally sweet. Abalone simmered with vegetables gives the soup extra sweetness.

Your nourishing soup is ready. Serve in small bowls. The soup features the gentle sweetness of abalone, vegetables, and chicken stock, with a light gingery warmth to brighten the taste. For the best flavor, enjoy hot; a small dish of salt–pepper–lime makes a perfect dip for the abalone.

2. Bird’s Nest Seafood Soup

Bird’s nest seafood soup combines premium, nourishing bird’s nest with fresh seafood to deliver a flavorful, nutrient-packed dish. It’s a must-try experience for food lovers.

Ingredients

• 10 g pre-cleaned bird’s nest
• 200 g assorted seafood (shrimp, squid, scallops)
• ½ ear sweet corn, 5 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 liter chicken stock
• 1 egg, 2 tbsp corn starch
• Common seasonings

How to make

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Soak bird’s nest until soft, rinse and shred lightly.

Clean seafood and cut into bite-size pieces.

Rinse shiitake and any cordyceps if using; drain well.

Step 2: Cook the soup

Steam the bird’s nest for 15–20 minutes. Sauté shallots until fragrant, then stir-fry the seafood until just cooked. Bring the stock to a boil, add corn and mushrooms and simmer until tender, then add the seafood. Mix corn starch with water and pour in gradually, stirring until thickened; drizzle in the beaten egg and stir gently before turning off the heat. Finally, spoon the steamed bird’s nest on top and serve.

3. How to Make Bird’s Nest Soup with Shredded Chicken

Bird’s nest soup with shredded chicken is a high-nutrient dish combining nourishing bird’s nest and tender chicken for a delicate, light flavor that’s great for health. It provides protein, vitamins, and essential minerals, helps boost immunity and supports recovery — especially suitable for the elderly, children, and those convalescing. It may also aid digestion, encourage better sleep, reduce fatigue, and support healthy, supple skin.

• Boosts immunity: Premium proteins and amino acids from the bird’s nest and chicken support the immune system.
• Speeds recovery: Nutrient-dense and gentle on the stomach for those who are weak or post-surgery.
• Supports digestion: Easy-to-absorb proteins and essential nutrients help the digestive system function more efficiently.
• Ideal for seniors, children, pregnant and postpartum women: Balanced nutrition that’s easy to eat and digest.
• Supports healthy skin and slows visible aging: Natural collagen-like components in bird’s nest help maintain elasticity and improve complexion.

Ingredients

• 10 g refined bird’s nest
• ½ chicken
• 1 kg marrow bones
• 15 g straw mushrooms, 60 g enoki mushrooms
• Carrot, shallots, daikon, spring onion, cilantro
• Common seasonings

Steps

Proper prep removes impurities, preserves nutrients, enhances flavor, and saves time during cooking.

• Soak bird’s nest in clean water for 30 minutes, drain
• Boil chicken until cooked and shred finely
• Soak shiitake until soft and slice thinly
• Parboil lotus seeds (if using) and rinse sweet corn
• Mix tapioca/corn starch with cold water

Follow these steps for a silky, delicious, and visually appealing shredded chicken bird’s nest soup:

• Step 1: Bring chicken stock to a boil; add lotus seeds, corn, and mushrooms
• Step 2: Add shredded chicken; season to taste
• Step 3: Gradually add the starch slurry to thicken
• Step 4: Drizzle in egg white and stir gently to create silky ribbons
• Step 5: Add bird’s nest, simmer 2–3 minutes, finish with pepper and herbs; serve hot

4. Bird’s Nest Soup with Lotus Seeds — Tasty, Sleep-Supporting, Calming

Bird’s nest lotus seed soup is a gentle, nourishing dish that may improve sleep, relax the nervous system, and support circulation. With the mild sweetness of lotus seeds, the freshness of red dates, and the signature aroma of bird’s nest, it’s ideal for seniors, people who are fatigued, sleep-deprived, or under stress.

Ingredients

• 10 g pre-cleaned bird’s nest (small nest)
• 20 g fresh or dried lotus seeds
• ½ fresh lotus root
• 10 g red dates (about 5–6 small fruits)
• 5 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 g cordyceps militaris (optional)
• 1 liter chicken stock (or bone broth)
• Several slices of fresh ginger
• Seasonings: salt, rock sugar, bouillon (to taste)

Detailed steps

Step 1: Prep

– Bird’s nest: Soak in clean water for 20–30 minutes until the strands expand and soften. Drain well.

– Lotus seeds: If using fresh seeds, remove the bitter green core. If using dried, soak in warm water for 1–2 hours to soften.

– Lotus root: Peel, rinse, and slice thinly or cut into bite-size pieces.

– Red dates, shiitake, cordyceps: Rinse and soak in warm water until soft; drain.

Step 2: Steam the bird’s nest

Add the nest to a lidded porcelain bowl and pour in just enough water to cover. Steam over a gentle 80°C (176°F) water bath for 15–20 minutes. Avoid over-steaming to preserve nutrients and texture.

Step 3: Simmer the soup

Bring 1 liter of chicken stock to a boil with a few ginger slices. Add lotus seeds and simmer for about 20 minutes until tender.

Then add lotus root, red dates, shiitake, and cordyceps; continue simmering over low heat for another 15–20 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 4: Finish

Season with salt, rock sugar, and bouillon to a naturally light sweetness.

Ladle into bowls and gently place the steamed bird’s nest on top. Garnish with cilantro leaves or fine ginger shreds for aroma and presentation.

Serving & benefits

Enjoy bird’s nest lotus seed soup hot or warm. Its mild sweetness and delicate nest texture feel soothing and comfortable.

Having it 2–3 times a week may support deeper sleep, reduce stress, enhance memory, and bolster immunity. This is a thoughtful health gift from Yen Sao Hoang Kim for loved ones — especially seniors and those under heavy workloads.

5. Bird’s Nest Crab Soup

Bird’s nest crab soup is light and sweet, blending ocean flavors with the refined taste of bird’s nest. It helps nourish the blood, support immunity, and boost energy.

Ingredients

• 1 bird’s nest (8–10 g)
• 3 crab claws or picked crab meat
• 1 ear sweet corn (young and tender)
• 10 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cups bone broth (chicken or pork)
• 2 tbsp corn starch (for thickening)
• Seasonings: salt, bouillon, pepper, sesame oil

Step 1: Prep

– Bird’s nest: Soak 20–30 minutes until soft and fluffy. Drain and steam in a porcelain bowl for about 20 minutes until just cooked, preserving nutrients and the natural springy texture.

– Crab: If using fresh crab, clean, steam/boil until done, cool, and pick the meat from the shell. If using ready-picked meat, rinse lightly and drain.

– Corn: Rinse and cut kernels from the cob.

– Shiitake: Soak in warm water for 20 minutes until soft; slice thinly.

Step 2: Make the broth

Bring 2 cups of broth to a boil and skim any foam. Add corn and shiitake; simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until tender and naturally sweet. Add crab meat and stir gently to avoid breaking it up.

Step 3: Thicken the soup

Mix 2 tbsp corn starch with ½ cup water and pour in gradually while stirring until the soup is smooth and glossy. For extra richness, add a little sesame oil or a beaten egg white.

Step 4: Finish & serve

When the soup has thickened, season with salt, bouillon, and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and gently place the steamed bird’s nest on top. Garnish with scallions, cilantro, or fine ginger shreds for aroma.

Serving & benefits

Bird’s nest crab soup is best enjoyed hot. The natural sweetness from crab, corn, and broth combined with springy nest strands creates a light, comforting dish — ideal for recovery, immune support, and family nourishment.

Yen Sao Hoang Kim recommends serving this soup 2–3 times per week for optimal wellness, especially for those recovering from illness, postpartum women, and children needing immune support.

6. Bird’s Nest Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms

Bird’s nest shiitake soup is a light, gentle option — great for vegetarians or anyone seeking a cleansing menu. Mushrooms provide beta-glucans, potassium, and vitamin D to support immunity and healthy blood lipids.

Ingredients

• 1 bird’s nest (8–10 g)
• 10 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 egg, 2 tbsp tapioca/corn starch, 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 liter chicken stock

Steps

Soak shiitake until soft and chop. Soak bird’s nest until soft and steam for 20 minutes. Bring stock to a boil, add mushrooms, simmer 3 minutes, then add starch slurry to thicken. Drizzle in beaten egg and stir gently. Season to taste, turn off heat, and spoon the steamed bird’s nest on top before serving.

Important Notes When Cooking and Enjoying Bird’s Nest Soup

• To preserve the pure aroma and nutrition of bird’s nest soup, choose high-quality refined nest. Yen Sao Hoang Kim recommends:

  => Refined Bird’s Nest – Grade 1 — Ivory-white, springy strands, naturally fragrant; perfect for premium soups.

  => Refined Bird’s Nest – Grade 2 — Budget-friendly yet still pure and nutritious.

• Steam the nest at ~80°C (176°F) for 15–20 minutes to preserve proteins and achieve the best texture.
• Avoid overseasoning — keep the nest’s natural flavor front and center.
• Serve warm to retain aroma and nutrition.
• People under medical treatment should consult their doctor before using.
• Enjoy 2–3 times per week — about 4 g per serving for adults; 2 g for children.

Each bowl of bird’s nest soup is a message of love for those you care about. With the harmony of natural bird’s nest and fresh ingredients, this dish helps nourish the blood, restore energy, and strengthen immunity.

Buy Genuine Bird’s Nest at Yen Sao Hoang Kim

For the most delicious and nutritious bird’s nest soup, choose refined nests with intact strands and guaranteed purity. At Yen Sao Hoang Kim, we offer a wide range of products to suit different needs:

• Refined Bird’s Nest – Grade 1 — 100% natural, thick strands, authentic aroma; ideal for steaming or premium soups.
• Refined Bird’s Nest – Grade 2 — A value choice with consistent quality; great for daily nutrition for seniors, postpartum women, and children.

If you’re looking for genuine bird’s nest at a reasonable price with guaranteed quality, choose Yen Sao Hoang Kim — a brand trusted by thousands of Vietnamese families on their health journey.

We provide a variety of products: raw nests, refined nests, and freshly steamed nests — 100% authentic, quality guaranteed. Contact our hotline 0914 005 335 for consultation and fast ordering.