AI-generated editorial illustration of Clams in black bean sauce.

Guangdong · THE FOOD GUIDE

Clams stir-fried with fermented black beans

Clams in black bean sauce

豉汁炒蚬

Chǐzhī chǎo xiǎn

Clams are tossed with fermented black beans, garlic and ginger in this Cantonese seafood dish. The shells carry a savoury sauce that mingles with the clam juices.

0/5Dishes
Kid-friendly
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At the table

How to enjoy it

Lift the meat from an open shell with chopsticks or a fork; leave the shells on a side plate. The sauce also goes well with rice.

A useful check

Contains shellfish and soy. Sauces may contain wheat, and sesame oil may be used. Watch for shell fragments or grit; confirm seasonings if you have allergies.

How it may vary

Clam varieties, chilli and sauce thickness vary. Some versions use oyster sauce; others use wine and whole fermented beans.

For a child who already eats clams, an adult can remove the meat from its shells, check for grit, and serve a small, cooled portion with rice from a mild version without chili; the briny sauce and chewy meat may not suit every child.

Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.

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How does it taste?

Briny shellfish and deeply savoury fermented beans; chilli can add heat.

Chili heat
0/5
Texture
Tender clam meat with a lightly thickened sauce.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Guangdong

Associated with Guangdong.

About this regional connection

Guangdong: Guangdong/Cantonese association, not an exclusive origin claim.

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请问你们有豉汁炒蚬吗?

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A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

A Cantonese dish for the shared table

Fermented black beans are a familiar partner for seafood in Cantonese cooking. In this dish, a small amount seasons a whole plate of clams rather than forming a serving of beans. The clam juices mingle with the sauce, making rice a natural companion. Recipes differ: some cooks briefly parboil the clams before tossing them with the aromatics, while others cook them in the wok.

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