Name: Tong Hao Soup {Quick Easy Crown Daisy Soup} Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 0.5 lb Tong Hao; 4 cups of water, or unsalted broth, see notes; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt; 1/4 tsp white pepper, freshly ground

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Tong Hao {茼蒿}, also known as Chinese crown daisy, is a traditional green leafy vegetable in China. Sometimes people also call them garland daisy, edible chrysanthemum, garland chrysanthemum, or chrysanthemum greens. A popular way to enjoy this super healthy and nutritious vegetable is to add them into a soup. Tong Hao Soup with minced garlic, a splash of sesame oil, and a pinch of freshly ground white pepper is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to make a tasty vegetable soup out of it.

Tong Hao Soup {Quick Simple 茼蒿 Crown Daisy Soup }

Fun Facts about Tong Hao {茼蒿}

There are two distinctive types of Tong Hao: the shorter version with round curly leaves and the taller version with straight pointy leaves.

The former is more common as I grew up in China’s Yangtze River Delta area, home to Huai Yang cuisine. The shorter round leave Tong Hao has a stronger herbal smell and flavor. It is also not as tender as the taller, straight leave version.

However, the taller, straight leave version is more common in grocery stores nowadays. I am using them today too.

Tong Hao Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tong Hao a healthy vegetable to eat?

You bet. Besides those common health benefits as a green leafy vegetable such as containing bountiful minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, people also believe Tong Hao can help with weight loss and lung and cardiovascular health.

Chopped Tong Hao for Soup — Cleaned and Chopped Tong Hao

What does Tong Hao taste like?

Tong Hao has a sharp herbal mustard flavor. The shorter version with round curly leaves is more so compared to the taller tender straight leafy version.

What are the popular ways of eating Tong Hao?

Because of its strong herbal mustard flavor, people rarely stir fry them. It is popular to add Tong Hao into a soup or stew, or make a soup out of it. It worth mentioning that Tong Hao is a must-have for Beijing or Huai Yang Style Hot Pot.

Is Tong Hao same as Ju Hua Cai {Chrysanthemum Vegetables}?

Nope. Tong Hao, a traditional green leafy vegetable, is an annual vegetable. Ju Hua Cai is a newly cultivated perennial green leafy vegetable. Both are very healthy and nutritious. Read here to know more about Ju Hua Cai.

Ju Hua Cai Soup with Salted Pork {Easy Yummy Healthy}

Tong Hao Soup {Quick Easy Crown Daisy Soup} Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Tong Hao {茼蒿}, also known as Chinese crown daisy, is a traditional green leafy vegetable in China. Tong Hao Soup with minced garlic, a splash of sesame oil, and a pinch of freshly ground white pepper is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to make a tasty vegetable soup out of it.

Ingredients

0.5 lb Tong Hao
4 cups of water, or unsalted broth, see notes
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
1/4 tsp white pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

Gather ingredients.
Mince garlic using a compact food processor or a chef's knife.
Turn the heat to medium-high, add 4 cups of water or unsalted broth into a saucepan, add the minced garlic and bring it to a boil.
While waiting, wash Tong Hao thoroughly and rinse multiple times. Trim off the exposed ends and cut into bite sizes.
Once the water is boiling, add Tong Hao into the pan, fold into the boiling water and let it cook for about 30 seconds, and then turn off the heat.
Add 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt and freshly ground white pepper, or to the taste, into the soup, mix well. Add 1 tbsp sesame oil, mix well.
All done! Enjoy a refreshingly tasty and healthy Tong Hao Soup.