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百子櫃THE HUNDRED DRAWERS

Dried scallop (conpoy)

瑤柱
nourishes yinsupports the kidneysrelieves dryness和胃調中湯羹提鮮

The dried adductor muscle of the scallop — conpoy — sold as amber cylindrical discs graded by size and origin. Soaked and torn into threads, with the soaking water added to the pot, it delivers the most concentrated sweet umami in the Cantonese dried-seafood pantry. Even two or three pieces transform a winter melon or mushroom soup.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet、salty　Meridians · kidney、spleen

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is used to nourish yin, support the kidneys, moisten dryness and harmonise the stomach, while lending its prized savour to tonic soups and thick broths.

Cautions — read first

  • Extremely high in purines, so avoid it during a gout flare
  • High in sodium, so take care if your blood pressure is high
  • Avoid if you are allergic to seafood

Preparation

Soak until soft and add it to the soup along with its soaking water; tearing it into threads draws out more flavour.

Origin

日本北海道（宗谷元貝為頂級）；中國青島、大連為次 — AU grocer stock is mostly small Chinese grades ($13-20/100g); graded Japanese sits well above (On Hing, pricing unverified); 北海道宗谷為公認頂級名產地，非中國道地藥材之「道地」

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$12.78–19.99 / 100g
Grocer/bulk small grades (Goldfish S 100g $17.99; Henghui 80g $15.99; Fortune 500g $63.90); graded Japanese sits above range — On Hing 'from $125' UNVERIFIED weight basis, ~$50/100g if 250g

Pairs well with

Winter melonJob's tears / coix seedHairy gourd / fuzzy melonCorn / maize (with corn silk)Dried shiitake mushroom

Soups that use this ingredient · 6

Chayote, corn and carrot soup with pork ribsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
合掌瓜粟米紅蘿蔔排骨湯
relieves drynessstrengthens the spleenwhets the appetiteAll year
街市Chayote· 2街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 1 to 2街市Carrot· 1街市Pork spare ribs· 350 to 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 2… +1

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Winter melon tureen soup with night fragrant flowersNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
夜香花冬瓜盅
clears heatcools internal firepromotes water metabolismSummer
街市Winter melon· 1 large section (hollowed into a tureen) or 900 g (1.5 catties)百子櫃Night fragrant flower· 75 g百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· to taste街市Lean pork· to taste百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· to taste百子櫃Lotus seed· to taste… +3

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Double-boiled chicken with sea cucumberA$11–119
海參燉雞
supports the kidneysnourishes yinnourishes blood3.5h slow fireAutumnWinterAll year
百子櫃Sea cucumber (dried)· 1 to 2, already soaked and reconstituted街市Fresh chicken (whole or half)· half a bird百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 3街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices百子櫃Dried longan flesh· 8 g (2 mace)百子櫃Red jujube date· 2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Hairy gourd, baby mussel and dried scallop soup with porkNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
節瓜淡菜元貝肉片湯（節瓜淡菜仔元貝滾湯）
replenishes qiAll year
街市Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon· 2百子櫃Dried mussel· 75 g百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 75 g街市Lean pork· 300 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled soup of fish maw, dried scallop and shiitakeA$16–45
花膠瑤柱冬菇燉湯
strengthens the spleenreplenishes qinourishes yin3h slow fireAutumnWinterAll year
百子櫃Fish maw (dried swim bladder)· 20 g百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 12 g百子櫃Dried sea whelk slices· 10 g街市Pork spare ribs· 120 g街市Fresh chicken (whole or half)· 60 g百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· 12 g… +3

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Chayote and pork slice soup (milky prawn version)Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
合掌瓜肉片湯（奶白合掌瓜大蝦肉片湯）
moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmAutumnWinterSummer
街市Chayote· 2街市Large prawns (fresh, head-on)· 4 to 6街市Lean pork· 200 g百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 10百子櫃Dried whole shrimp (large)· 4街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”