Dried whole shrimp (large)
Large whole shrimp dried in the shell, bigger and far more intense than everyday ha mai (dried small shrimp). Briefly rinsed and sometimes dry-toasted, they go into the pot whole and give gourd soups (chayote, hairy gourd, winter melon) a rich, sweet prawn depth. One pack ingredient does the work of a stock.
TCM properties
Nature · warming Flavour · sweet、salty Meridians · kidney
Traditional food therapy
In Cantonese food therapy it is regarded as kidney-supporting and is used chiefly to deepen and sweeten the broth of everyday boiled soups.
Cautions: read first
- High in sodium
- Avoid if you are allergic to seafood
- Take care if you have gout
Preparation
Give them a quick soak and rinse, and you can toast them in a dry wok (白鑊) for fragrance; they go into the soup whole.
Origin
The Guangdong coast and Hong Kong (the sun-dried shrimp of Tai O are renowned). Whole large dried prawns are hard to find in Australia; the large-grade dried shrimp (size L) at dried-seafood shops may be the same thing, so ask before buying
Availability in Australia
Herbal shops / specialists
