Description
A deep, maniac soup where fresh pork brain (Zhu Nao) is simmered in a sweet-bitter medicinal broth with Dong Quai and goji berries. Creamy texture like milt or foie gras.
Restaurants serving Pork Brain Soup
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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
- Pork brain(Zhu Nao)
- Herbs like Dong Quai
- Goji berries
- Rice wine
- Pork bone broth
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- [Ultimate Prep (This is Everything)] Put fresh pork brain (Zhu Nao) in a bowl, wash extremely gently under running water. Use a skewer/tweezers to completely remove the 'red blood veins (capillaries)' attached to the surface over tens of minutes without breaking it (skipping this makes it too fishy to eat).
- Blanch the cleaned brain briefly in hot water with rice wine.
- Put 'medicinal herbs' like Dong Quai, lovage, and goji berries in a small single-serving clay jar.
- Gently place the prepped brain into the jar without breaking it.
- Pour pork-based broth (or water) and rice wine.
- Place in a steamer (or water bath), 'Dun' (steam-simmer) slowly on low for
- mins to
- hr to finish.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Strong medicinal aroma of Dong Quai
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Cod milt (texture is very close)
Pairing
Strong-flavored rice dishes like Lu Rou Fan
Trivia
[Hardcore] Based on the folk belief 'like nourishes like (eat brain to nourish brain = get smarter)', often fed to students before exams or elders. Despite the grotesque look, it has zero odor, tasting refined like high-end French milt or foie gras. A hidden Taiwanese delicacy.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Scoop gently with a spoon, and taste the foie gras-like rich depth that melts and disappears 'fluffily' the moment it enters your mouth, along with the medicinal broth!
Allergen
Pork