Tang Ban Xi Hong Shi (Tomatoes with Sugar)
The original scenery of summer in China! Tomatoes are “fruits”, not vegetables
Description
The ultimate Chinese summer nostalgia. Chilled tomatoes sliced and buried under a massive mountain of white sugar. In China, tomatoes are treated as fruit. The absolute equivalent of 'comfort food'.
Restaurants serving Tang Ban Xi Hong Shi (Tomatoes with Sugar)
Researching
We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Ripe tomatoes
- White sugar(massive amounts)
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Chill fully ripe, bright red tomatoes in the fridge until ice-cold.
- Remove the core and slice into thin wedges (leaving the skin on provides better texture).
- Arrange in a deep dish and dump a massive, snow-mountain-like pile of white sugar on top (use fine white sugar that dissolves easily).
- Do not eat immediately. Let it sit in the fridge for 10-
- minutes. The ultimate secret: osmotic pressure draws out the tomato juices, melting with the sugar to form a 'premium sweet tomato syrup' at the bottom.
- Toss lightly right before eating.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
None(Tomato tartness and sugar are the stars)
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Can be perfectly replicated with Japanese tomatoes)
Pairing
As a snack / Post-meal dessert
Trivia
[Trivia] In China, tomatoes are largely treated as 'fruit'. It is completely normal to see cherry tomatoes included in a fruit platter alongside apples and melons.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] After eating the tomato flesh, the greatest joy for a Chinese person is lifting the plate to their mouth and chugging the 'sweet pink syrup infused with tomato umami' left at the bottom.
Allergen
None