百子櫃 ›
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.
Nature · warming Flavour · sweet、salty Meridians · kidney
In Cantonese food therapy it is regarded as kidney-supporting and is used chiefly to deepen and sweeten the broth of everyday boiled soups.
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.
廣東沿海及香港（大澳生曬蝦乾馳名） — No AU listing confirmed as whole large dried prawn; large-size dried shrimp rows (Goldfish L, On Hing L) may cover it — in-store check pending
Herbal shops / specialists
“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”
Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.