Bao Chao Tian Luo (Stir-fried River Snails)
Phew! The pleasure of sucking out. Tanishi piles up on the night market table
Description
The absolute quintessential snack of Chinese summer night markets (Dai Pai Dong). Small river snails with their tail tips snipped off, violently stir-fried with Doubanjiang, perilla leaves (Zisu), and garlic. Eaten by sucking the meat out.
Restaurants serving Bao Chao Tian Luo (Stir-fried River Snails)
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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
- River snails
- Pixian Doubanjiang
- Garlic
- Perilla leaves(Zisu)
- Ginger
- Chili
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Soak live river snails in water with a few drops of sesame oil for 1-
- days to completely purge the mud.
- [MANDATORY STEP]: Use pliers/scissors to snip off the 'pointed tail tip' of every single shell. (Without this, there's no airflow, and you cannot suck the meat out).
- Blanch the snails to remove scum.
- Heat generous oil in a wok, fry Pixian Doubanjiang, garlic, ginger, and dried chilies.
- Dump in the snails, adding soy, sugar, wine, and the ultimate mud-odor killer: 'Perilla leaves (Zisu)'. Toss violently on high.
- Add a splash of broth and simmer-fry until the liquid reduces and the flavor penetrates the shells.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Refreshing aroma of Perilla、Doubanjiang
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Braised Babylonia shells (but you can't suck them out)
Pairing
Cold Beer / Edamame(Peanuts)
Trivia
[Trivia] On Chinese summer nights, outdoor tables echo with the 'chu! chu!' sound of people sucking snails. Piling a massive mountain of empty shells directly on the table is the correct way to spend the night.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Do not use toothpicks. Pinch the snail, press your lips tightly against the main opening, and suck in air forcefully ('CHU!'). The tiny meat and umami-packed juices will shoot directly into your mouth.
Allergen
Shellfish, Soybeans, Wheat