Qi Food
Qi Food: Daily Cooking for a Vibrant Life
We are often asked what kind of food we like, and how we balance practice and daily eating. We don’t think of food as a diet. We play with it. As Dongmei likes to say, what matters most is Qi.
So we call what we eat Qi food—food that carries Qi.
Qi food is daily food, cooked with care, good ingredients, and balanced flavor. When it’s made with attention and heart, it naturally nourishes both body and spirit.
Here we share what we cook and how we eat—quiet, everyday food for living well.
Qi food is a lifestyle.
The Recipe Library
This compilation is a living collection of the dishes that find their way onto our table most often. Rather than a strict menu, think of these as "energetic suggestions" to help you align your daily eating with your Qigong practice.
We have organized these recipes by their energetic function, allowing you to choose what your body needs in the moment—whether it is the brightness of the morning, the strength of the afternoon, or the quietude of the evening.
A Note on the Collection
As you explore these recipes, remember that Qi food is about attention. Whether you are making a simple bowl of rice or a complex stew, the Qi of the chef enters the food. Cook with a smile, breathe deeply, and enjoy the play.
Our Table: Dishes and Recipe
STEAMED EGG
Our favorite breakfast may change, but one dish always returns: Steamed Egg—soft, warming, and quietly nourishing. That’s why it’s the first recipe we share.
Black Miso Kabocha & Mushroom Stew
(with Rice Milk)
A warming stew—grounded, adaptable, and deeply nourishing, best enjoyed in winter.
Pasta with Sautéed Brussels Sprouts & Pistachio Flour
A gentle, nutty pasta—Brussels sprouts sautéed in thyme-infused oil and bound with toasted pistachio flour for a soft, cohesive finish. Light, aromatic, and quietly satisfying.
Ginger Chicken
A fragrant, warming stir-fry—simple, vibrant, and deeply comforting, perfect for any day of the week.
Fermented Vegetables Sautéed with Ground Meat
A bold, savory sauté—ground meat and tangy fermented vegetables cooked with ginger and chili for depth and warmth. Robust, adaptable, and perfect spooned over rice or wrapped fresh.
Tofu steak
Golden-seared tofu in a light, savory sauce with mushrooms, ginger, and aromatic vegetables—simple, nourishing, and comforting. A versatile dish finished with fresh herbs and perfect for a wholesome meal.
Pan-Simmered Fish Fillet with Vegetables
Gently simmered fish fillet over a bed of aromatic vegetables in a light, savory broth—delicate, nourishing, and comforting. A fragrant dish finished with tarragon, bringing a fresh, herbaceous touch to every bite.
Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms & Cranberries
Golden-seared Brussels sprouts with savory mushrooms and crispy bacon, balanced by sweet cranberries—rich, earthy, and comforting, finished with a touch of olive oil and black pepper.
Vegetable Miso Soup
Delicate white miso vegetable soup with earthy mushrooms, sweet root vegetables, and warming ginger—gently simmered in a light dashi broth, finished with tender greens and a touch of sake and soy for a smooth, comforting depth.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Soy-Ginger Sauce
Tender pan-seared salmon simmered in a fragrant soy-ginger sauce with garlic, thyme, cilantro, and citrusy orange notes—rich, savory, and deeply comforting, finished with a delicate glaze and infused with the warmth of fresh aromatics
Clear Pork & Papaya Broth
Delicate pork loin and tender papaya slowly simmered in a crystal-clear herbal broth infused with fresh ginger, green onions, peppermint, and thyme—light, soothing, and deeply nourishing, finished with gentle aromatics and a naturally comforting warmth.