I had never really thought about the significance of soup until I had a conversation with an expat friend one night.
'Sorry, I have to go,' I said. 'My mum has cooked me soup tonight,' I explained, taking the last sip of my Diet Coke.
'Going home for soup?' he said, looking annoyed. 'You must be kidding me. Haven't we just had soup at dinner? What soup is it?'
I replied: 'It's my mum's soup. I must have it. See you.' I left without hesitation. It was only 10.30pm.
It's not unusual for me to finish a night out early just for my mother's soup. And if I arrive home late, I still heat it up and eat it before I go to bed.
Chinese soups are unique. Taste, as with all dishes, is essential, but even more important is how the soup nourishes your mind and body. My mother likes to make pigeon and green bean soup. It is believed this soup is good for the skin. Fish soup is another regular. My mum picked it up from a cooking programme on television and says it helps prevent cancer. As I eat out most of the time, she says it's good to have more carrot and green carrot soup as it can control my body's heatiness.