Tu Sun Dong (Sandworm Jelly)
Jelly packed with elongated unique shapes!? Collagen Bomb Purple Seafood
Description
A specialty of Fujian (Xiamen). 'Peanut worms' (Sipunculid worms)—which look exactly like fat earthworms living in mudflats—are boiled. The massive amounts of collagen they release naturally set the broth into a firm jelly. Visually terrifying, gastronomically delicious.
Restaurants serving Tu Sun Dong (Sandworm Jelly)
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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
- Peanut worms(Sipunculid worms)
- Water
- Black vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Grated garlic
- Mustard(for serving)
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Catch 'Tu Sun' (Peanut worms) in mudflats. Rub them vigorously on a stone slab or run them through a roller to squeeze out 'every last drop' of mud and organs (failing this makes them taste like swamp).
- Rub the cleaned worms with salt, wash, and chop into pieces.
- Boil the worms in water on low heat for hours. Massive amounts of natural gelatin (collagen) melt from their bodies into the broth.
- Pour the broth and worm pieces into small cups and chill in the fridge.
- Using ZERO added gelatin, the worms' own collagen naturally sets the liquid into a 'bouncy, rock-firm jelly'.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Special dip (Black vinegar、garlic、mustard)
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Irreplaceable - completely unique)
Pairing
Cold Beer / Baijiu
Trivia
[Hardcore] Visually, it is literally 'earthworm jelly', but the taste is a 'premium seafood umami block surpassing abalone or shark fin'. The worms are crunchy, the jelly is bouncy—the supreme snack for Fujian locals.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Countless 'worms' are visibly suspended in the translucent jelly. Muster your courage and bite in. The Xiamen way is to dip it heavily in a sauce of black vinegar, garlic, and highly pungent 'yellow mustard'.
Allergen
None (Unknown seafood allergy caution)