Along the narrow streets of Gulangyu Island near the ferry wharf were many seafood stalls.Seafood (pinyin:haixian) is all over the place in Xiamen, and especially in Gulangyu.
Xiamen Island physical features is like the shape of an oyster (pinyin:Muli) surrounded by sea on all sides so daily supplies of fresh seafood is in abundance.
To most tourists browsing the many seafood stalls,the temptation and urge to try out some of the cuisines is unavoidable.
Most of the university students from other provinces spent their summer vacation here and they were so used to the queing system when ordering meals.
Economy take-away meal such as these stalls were most sort after by budget travellers .
Almost all the restaurants have menu prices with photos of the cuisines.
Deep-fried five-flavor rolls is one of Xiamen’s most famous delicacies.
Xiamen food is dominated by South Fujian cuisine, comblined with Taiwan and Chaoshan flavor. The cooking methods include frying, steaming, boiling, sauting, and others.
The seafood cooking in Xiamen is particularly outstanding with its freshness and slight spice.
These are Three Spot Crabs (pangxie) are rich in protein.Scientific name:Portunus sanguinolentus.One particular restaurant on the mainland Xiao Yan Jing Da Pai Dang at No. 7 Middle Hubin Road, Siming District, Xiamen has the most exceptional seafood cookings so it's not necessary to join the tourists crowds here.
Crispy fried oysters mixed with eggs,sweet potato flour,and minced garlic specially prepared and placed on large oyster shells.
Steamed crabs ready to serve.
These crabs are the common mud crabs which are also abundant in Phuket,Pattaya,Surathani and a large section of Indonesian islands.
Grilled squids and threaded pork meat.
The use of traditional wooden skewers in grilling is a common street stalls food display throughout Asia.
Grilled seabass fishes. Seabass are found in the shallower regions of warm and tropical seas.Sea bass are rather perchlike fish. The more or less elongated body has small scales, the mouth is large.
A variety of seafood selection.
Seafood is a part of a healthy balanced diet. The American Heart Association recommends that no more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day is healthy for adults. Most of the commonly eaten seafood selections are well below this parameter.
For example, 3 oz. of lobster contains 61 mg of cholesterol; 3 oz. of crab contains 80 mg of cholesterol. There are 166 mg in a serving of 15 shrimp, and 48 mg in a serving of five mussels. Six oysters contain 58 mg of cholesterol, and a serving of four scallops has less than 34 mg.
Abalone salad. In Chinese speaking regions, abalone are commonly known as 'bao yu', and sometimes forms part of a Chinese banquet. Similar to shark fin soup or bird's nest soup, it is considered a luxury item, and is traditionally reserved for special occasions such as weddings and other celebrations. However, the availability of commercially farmed abalone has allowed more common consumption of this once rare delicacy.
Jellyfish and octopus salad. Korean jellyfish dish are called "haepari naegnchi. On the whole,jellyfish is tasteless but has its crunchy texture.
Shellfish is often avoided by many because of the thought that it raises bad cholesterol levels. According to a study at the University of Washington, this is a misconception and shellfish pose no danger to cholesterol levels. This study found that some of the most commonly eaten shellfish, including oysters, crabs, clams, shrimp and mussels, showed no evidence of raising cholesterol levels. Shrimp had no effect on cholesterol levels. Crabs and clams actually lowered the LDL levels (bad cholesterol). Mussels and oysters also lowered LDL, while raising HDLs. Fish is also good for increasing good cholesterol in your blood.
Beautiful Island Hotel Bread and Breakfast. (Lizhi Dao Jiudian, 丽之岛酒店)
5 minute walk from ferry.
Small rooms but clean and cheap.
Tel: 206-3309
Add: #133 Longtou Lu (龙头路),
Gulangyu Giant sea snails.
Grilled lobsters and crabs. Deep frying, and using butter and sauces will increase the cholesterol content of seafood or any other food. Try broiling, grilling or baking when preparing seafood and cook with very little oil.
Dried sea cucumber.
Spotted Anguilla eel.
Price:228 Yuan per half kilogram.
Large oyster can fetch a price of 198Yuan per 500gm while the smaller species are 38 Yuan per half kilograms .
Ray fish, price:128 Yuan per half kilo
Grouper fish normally prepared as stir-fried or steamed .
'da zha xie' - the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir Sinensis). The most expensive crabs in the country come from Yangcheng Lake,Jiangsu Province, which is close to Shanghai and is credited with being the cradle of China's crab culture. Price:318 Yuan per half kilo.
Mantis shrimp priced at 39Yuan per half kilo.
Fresh lively lobster at 398 Yuan per half kilo.
Clams and sea snails priced at 88 Yuan and 98 yuan per half kilos respectively.
bamboo clams.
Live eel.
There is one shop selling old antiques items and among them was this Old portable gramophone.
These were common entertaining home gadgets way back in the early 60s and 70s before the emergence of compact disc.
The needle head or stylus that transmit the soundwaves from the phonogram is quite costly to replace.
Those days we will always hunt for albums sung by Elvis Presley,Neil Sedaka,Frank Sinatra,Stevie Wonder,Simon & Garfunkel,the Beatles,the Rolling Stones and many other legendary singers.
