Unveiling the Secret of Hangover Soup in Chinese Dramas: What Is It, Real or Fiction?

If you are a devoted fan of Chinese dramas, especially period, historical, or martial arts genres, you must have seen classic scenes of intense drinking battles involving red sorghum wine, orchid liquor, or divine elixirs of immortal beings. The next morning, what always appears on the table or is thoughtfully brought out is "hangover soup." What exactly is this dish? Does it really exist in Chinese history and culture? Thairath Online takes you to decode this traditional hangover remedy from the land of the dragon.

Understanding the meaning of "hangover soup" — what is it?

Hangover soup in Chinese is called "Xing Jiu Tang" (Chinese: 醒酒汤), a dish consumed to sober up from the effects ofalcohol.

• The term Xing Jiu means to sober up or to awaken from intoxication.
• The word Tang means soup or broth.

Therefore, hangover soup is not a bitter medicine but rather a hot soup made from herbs and natural ingredients that help detoxify alcohol, relieve headaches and nausea, and refresh the body. Since ancient Chinese culture involved heavy drinking in social, business, or royal settings, traditional Chinese medicine doctors developed various soup recipes specifically to treat hangovers.

Exploring the special recipes of "hangover soup" in Chinese dramas, reflecting the food culture of China

While the soup may appear as a simple clear broth in porcelain bowls on screen, in reality, Xing Jiu Tang recipes are diverse depending on social class and era, as follows:

• Sweet green bean soup recipe is the simplest folk version. According to traditional Chinese medicine, green beans have a cooling effect, promote detoxification, increase urination, and reduce liver heat caused by alcohol.
• Herbal blend recipe (Ge Hua / Ge Gen) Among nobles or in the royal court, "Ge Hua" (Chinese kudzu flower) or Ge Gen root are often boiled. Research shows extracts from these herbs protect the liver and effectively accelerate blood alcohol breakdown.
• Fruit and vinegar soup recipe includes dried persimmons, plums, or Shan Zha cooked with rock sugar and a light amount of Chinese vinegar. The sweet and sour flavor stimulates saliva and digestive juices, quickly relieving nausea.

In the context of Chinese dramas, when one character prepares hangover soup for another, it often represents more than just physical healing — it is a subtle expression of love and care in the Asian way. For example, the heroine makes it for the hero after he drinks to drown his sorrows, or a maid prepares it for her master to show loyalty. Such scenes warmly resonate with viewers and leave a memorable impression.