Dried small shrimp

蝦米

補腎（食療觀點）提鮮通乳（民間）

Small shrimp cooked, shelled and dried into orange nuggets, the workhorse dried seafood of the southern Chinese kitchen. Soaked just five to ten minutes and often sizzled in oil first, they release a salty-sweet prawn savour that anchors quick soups of winter melon, hairy gourd, vermicelli or laver. Over-soaking washes the flavour away.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · sweet、salty　Meridians · kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is regarded as kidney-supporting, with folk tradition also using it in soups for nursing mothers; day to day it is prized simply for lifting the savour of the pot.

Cautions — read first

High in sodium, so taste before you add any salt
Avoid if you are allergic to seafood
Take care if you have gout
A short soak is all they need; a long soak washes the flavour out

Preparation

Soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then sizzle them in a hot oiled wok until golden and the prawn fragrance comes up, before adding the water.

Origin

廣東沿海（金鈎蝦米為上品） — Common at AU Asian grocers ($8-14/100g, Goldfish/Qiancheng lines); pack origins rarely stated

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$8.09–13.98 / 100g
Qiancheng shrimp meat 100g $8.09; Goldfish (L) 100g $13.50; Fortune 500g $69.90; On Hing 'from $35/$65' prices UNVERIFIED weight basis

Pairs well with

Winter melon Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon Mung bean vermicelli Dried laver (nori)

Soups that use this ingredient · 3

Winter melon, dried shrimp and glass noodle soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

冬瓜蝦米粉絲湯（滾冬瓜湯）

clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummer

街市Winter melon· about 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Dried small shrimp· 1 to 2 tablespoons百子櫃Mung bean vermicelli· 1 bunch百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· 2 to 3街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Hairy gourd, glass noodle and dried shrimp soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

節瓜粉絲蝦米湯

clears heatrelieves drynessSummer

街市Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon· 1 to 2百子櫃Dried small shrimp· 2 tablespoons百子櫃Mung bean vermicelli· 50 g街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Laver (nori) egg-drop soup, often with tofuA$1–6

紫菜蛋花湯（紫菜豆腐蛋花湯）

clears heatpromotes water metabolismAll year

百子櫃Dried laver (nori)· 1 small sheet, or a small handful街市Chicken egg (hard-boiled)· 1 to 2百子櫃Tofu· 1 block百子櫃Dried small shrimp· 1 tablespoon街市Spring onion / scallion· a pinch百子櫃Superior stock· 800 ml to 1 litre

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”