A CLOSER LOOK
How to recognize it
Sold as pale dried strips or powder. Dissolved in hot liquid, it forms a gel as it cools.
In the kitchen
Sets chilled desserts such as xingren doufu. Use food-grade agar and the preparation instructions for the product.
Agar is seaweed-derived, unlike animal gelatin, and gives a different texture. A dessert containing agar may still contain milk or other animal ingredients.
Ask about this ingredient
这道菜里有琼脂吗？
Does this dish contain Agar (qiongzhi)?
A few dishes to explore
These examples use this ingredient in typical or optional preparations. Open the dish to see the distinction; a restaurant’s recipe can differ.
