The Inspiration: Discovering Wild Pepper Root

Sometimes, something interesting catches our attention when we least expect it.

One day, I came across a post about Sarawak wild pepper root used to make chicken broth-based soup. It was something completely new to me, and naturally, I became curious.

What was this unusual ingredient? What did it taste like? And how was it used in herbal soup?

My curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to do more online research. After learning a little about this unfamiliar ingredient, I visited a traditional medicine shop, bought the ingredients, and decided to try making the soup myself.

This small discovery became a new culinary experience I am happy to share on my blog.

What is Sarawak Wild Pepper Root

Sarawak wild pepper root (Akar Lada or 砂拉越胡椒根) is the fibrous, aromatic root of the pepper vine (Piper species) harvested in East Malaysia, frequently referred to in local folklore as 'poor man's ginseng '. 

It is widely valued in traditional medicine, confinement care, and home cooking for its warming, restorative qualities.

Sarawak wild pepper root is usually sold dried - either as whole woody roots, thick slices, or crushed inside filter soup bags

The most popular way to prepare it is slow-simmering with chicken or pork ribs


Ingredients 

~  Whole Kampung Chicken (approx. 1 kg) or 800g bone-in chicken thighs or Black Chicken, chopped into soup pieces 

~  30g–40g Dried Sarawak Wild Pepper Root (胡椒根 / Lada Hutan)

~  10- 15g astragalus slices(Huang Qi / 黄芪) / Licorice (Gan Cao)

~  10- 15 g Solomon's seal(Yu Zhu / 玉竹):

~  10–12 Dried Red Dates, pitted

~  1 tbsp Goji Berries (wolfberries)

~  3–4 Slices Fresh Ginger

~  6–8 Dried Longans (optional, for natural sweetness)

~  1.8L–2L Water

~  1–1.5 tsp Salt (to taste)

I enjoyed arranging everything before starting to cook. Seeing the different ingredients made me even more curious about how they would come together in the soup.

Although I had done some research beforehand, there was still something exciting about preparing an unfamiliar recipe for the first time.

If you want to try this soup, I recommend checking the product packaging or asking the supplier to confirm the names of the individual herbs and the correct preparation instructions.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Blanch the Chicken

1. Bring a pot of plain water to a rolling boil. 

2. Add the chicken pieces and blanch for 3 to 5 minutes to remove impurities and blood residue. 

3. Drain and rinse the chicken under cool water. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Herbs

1. Rinse the dried wild pepper root, red dates, ginger, and other herbs briefly under running tap water to remove surface dust.

2. Set the goji berries aside in a small bowl (these will go in near the end).

Step 3: Slow Simmer

1. In a clean soup pot or slow cooker, add 1.8L–2L of water.

2. Add the blanched chicken, wild pepper root, red dates, ginger slices, astragalus slices, and Solomon's seal.

3. Bring everything to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Reduce Heat & Cook

1. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and cover with a lid.

2. Let it gently simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken becomes tender and the broth turns rich and aromatic.

Step 5: Season & Serve

1. Add the goji berries during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

2. Season with salt to taste, stir well, and turn off the heat.

3. Serve hot as a nourishing starter or pair with rice.

Finally, Time to Enjoy My Homemade Soup

It was finally time to sit down and enjoy my soup!

The most noticeable thing about my homemade soup was its strong herbal aroma. The fragrance from the ingredients was distinctive and immediately caught my attention.

When I tasted the soup, I found the flavour mildly peppery, much like other traditional herbal soups I have tried.

It was an interesting combination: a strong herbal smell with a gentle peppery taste. The flavour was familiar and comforting, yet the experience of trying this particular ingredient was new to me.

I was glad that my curiosity had led me to discover something different and experience it for myself.

A Little Curiosity Goes a Long Way

My first experience with Sarawak wild pepper root soup reminded me that there is always something new to learn, even in our everyday lives.

I discovered an unfamiliar ingredient, did some research, purchased the ingredients, prepared the soup, and enjoyed its distinctive herbal aroma and mildly peppery taste.

For me, retirement is not about slowing down completely. It is about finding happiness in the things we enjoy, staying curious and making room for new experiences.

I hope to continue sharing more of these little discoveries with you, alongside the gardening stories and personal experiences that make up my retirement journey.

Have you tried Sarawak wild pepper root soup before? I would love to hear about your experience, your recipe, and how you enjoy this traditional soup.

Thank you for joining me on another little adventure!