Wu points out that the pairing of jelly fish with water chestnut has been a popular means of food therapy ever since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when it was recorded in the medical work Wen Re Jing Wei (Compendium of Epidemic Febrile Diseases).

She adds that the soup also helps to prevent symptoms of infant indigestion and hypertension in the elderly.

Meanwhile, the stir-fried diced vegetables option provides diners a heftiness that is reminiscent of a meat dish. In this dish, the juicy water chestnut is said to help expel excessive heat while and the chewy gorgon fruits nourish the kidneys.