Description
Cheap Japanese 'chikuwa' cut diagonally, dry-roasted, briefly simmered in five-spice soup. Yields elasticity and umami exactly like Taiwan's fish paste 'Tianbula'.
Restaurants serving Chikuwa Luwei (Quick & Budget)
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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
- Chikuwa
- Quick Lu Zhi (soy
- Mentsuyu
- cola
- five-spice etc.)
- Tube garlic
Instructions
- [Authentic & Quick Recipe]
- [Chikuwa Elasticity Boost & Oil Removal] Cut cheap super chikuwa (4-
- pack) diagonally into thirds. Pro tech here: put chikuwa in un-oiled pan, 'dry-roast' on medium ~
- min. Evaporating excess surface oil/moisture tightens chikuwa tissue, creating Taiwan fish paste's unique 'bouncy' intense elasticity (QQ texture).
- [Quick Lu Zhi Synergizing Umami] Boil cola (a little), soy, Mentsuyu, tube garlic, five-spice in a pot. Chikuwa yields fish umami, automatically deepening soup richness.
- [Heating to Absorb Soup] Toss dry-roasted chikuwa into boiling soup, boil on medium '
- mins'. Turn off heat when chikuwa puffs slightly and Taiwan soup flows heavily into the diagonally cut holes.
- [Finishing] Remove heat as is in soup. Chewing shoots five-spice aroma juicily from the holes; zenith of B-grade gourmet.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Sweet five-spice aroma and savory burnt chikuwa smell、ちくわの焼けた香ばしい匂い
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Satsuma-age or Hiraten (similarly dry-roasting and simmering becomes Taiwan Tianbula)
Pairing
Taiwan Beer、Sweet black tea
Trivia
[For Kids] #23 'Weight-loss ingredient'. Chikuwa is low-fat, easily providing quality white fish protein, optimal for bentos/diet sides. Japanese chikuwa is soft, but the dry-roasting trick brings it closer to Taiwanese beloved 'Q-Dan (elasticity)', transforming instantly into a highly exotic snack with five-spice flavor.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Skewer ~3 on a bamboo stick, walking like at Taiwan stalls, biting with 'super-spicy chili oil' if desired!
Allergen
Seafood (Fish paste/may contain egg white etc.), Soy, Wheat (from soy/Mentsuyu)