abalone 包魚

abalone 包魚 is one of the most treasured delicacy in chinese cuisine

slow braised served with napa cabbage - this is rare large one that was fresh farm raised

live farmed abalone

even farmed, large one like this costs a lot of money

Today some of the best one are dried one from Japan, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand. They are unreachable for average folks due to extreme high price driven up by the ever increasing wealthy and their discovery of this delicacy. Over harvest and illegal poaching has becoming a serious problem that threaten the population health of them as with many sea creatures.


The more affordable one are smaller farm raised ones from California, unfortunately they are often so small that is hardly worth the trouble. Their taste tends to be very bland also.

for me with beer budget and champagne taste - a good alternative is this Chilean faux abalone

braise with sake, soy sauce, garlic, and scallion

couple of hours later

eat with fried tofu

served with slice scallion

the taste has a hint of conch but has as much umami as real abalone with very similar texture and mouth feel