Caterpillar fungus duck (Chongcao dun laoya)

This centuries-old Chinese soup allegedly acts as an aphrodisiac and is praised for its health benefits. The ingredient responsible for these claims is the Caterpillar fungus which is inserted into duck meat before cooking this hearty soup.

The duck is then placed into a large pot with water, aromatic herbs, and seasonings such as scallions, ginger, pepper, and occasionally, cooking wine. Once cooked, the meat is typically served with rice, while the broth is enjoyed as a tonic.