17 Chinese Restaurant Seaweed Recipe You Must Try Them!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
The Chinese restaurant seaweed recipe is a staple in many Asian cuisines and has become increasingly popular in Western cultures as well. This simple yet flavorful dish is often served as an appetizer or side dish, and its popularity is due to its unique combination of savory and crispy textures. In this article, we will delve into the history of seaweed in Chinese cuisine and explore the various ways it is prepared in Chinese restaurants.
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Yellow Onion, Shallots, Garlic
If you're a fan of risotto, then you'll love this twist on the classic recipe. Seaweed adds a depth of flavor and a hint of saltiness to the creamy rice dish. You can use any type of seaweed, such as nori or dulse, to make this dish. Simply rehydrate the seaweed and add it to your risotto during the last few minutes of cooking. It's a delicious and unique way to enjoy this traditional Italian dish.
This refreshing and light salad is a staple in Chinese cuisine. It's made with rehydrated seaweed, cucumber, and a tangy dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The seaweed adds a satisfying chewiness to the salad, while the dressing brings a burst of flavor. It's a perfect side dish for any meal, or you can enjoy it on its own as a light and healthy snack.
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Chinese Seaweed Soup with Pork Balls and Tofu
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Msg, Water, Minced Pork, Silken Tofu
This hearty soup is a comforting and nourishing meal that is popular in Chinese households. It's made with a flavorful broth, tender pork balls, and soft tofu. The seaweed adds a unique texture and a touch of umami to the soup. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that is perfect for a cold day or when you're feeling under the weather.
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Seafood & Tofu Soup (Quick Chinese Soup)
Main Ingredients: Tofu, Scallops, Prawns, Calamari, Chicken Stock, Water
This easy and delicious soup is packed with protein and flavor. It's made with a combination of seafood, tofu, and rehydrated seaweed. The seaweed adds a seafood-like taste to the soup and balances out the flavors of the other ingredients. You can use any type of seafood you like, such as shrimp, scallops, or fish. It's a perfect dish for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
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Miso Mushroom Ramen with Vegetarian Wontons and Crispy...
Main Ingredients: Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Porcini Mushrooms
Ramen lovers, this one's for you. This vegetarian ramen is packed with umami flavor and is topped with crispy seaweed strips. The seaweed adds a crunch to the dish and complements the earthy flavors of the mushrooms and miso broth. You can also add some rehydrated seaweed to the broth for an added boost of flavor and nutrients.
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Seaweed Egg Drop Soup (紫菜蛋花汤)
Main Ingredients: Dried Seaweed, Chicken Stock, Water, Dried Shrimp
This Chinese-style egg drop soup gets an extra boost of nutrients and flavor from the addition of rehydrated seaweed. The seaweed adds a unique texture and a hint of saltiness to the soup, making it a flavorful and comforting dish. It's a quick and easy soup to make, perfect for a busy weeknight when you want a nutritious and satisfying meal.
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Hot and Sour Dumpling Soup
Main Ingredients: Vinegar, Water, Brown Sugar, Star Anise, Cinnamon
This soup is a combination of two popular Chinese dishes – hot and sour soup and dumplings. The tangy and spicy broth is filled with tender dumplings and rehydrated seaweed, making it a delicious and comforting meal. You can use store-bought dumplings or make your own for an extra special touch. This soup is perfect for a cold day or when you're craving something warm and comforting.
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How Make Fish Balls
Main Ingredients: Mackerel, Salt, Ground White Pepper, Fish Bones
Did you know that seaweed is commonly used to make fish balls in Chinese cuisine? The seaweed adds a unique texture and a slightly salty taste to the fish balls. It's a great way to add some extra nutrients to this popular dish. You can use any type of white fish to make these fish balls, such as cod or tilapia. They are perfect for adding to soups, stir-fries, or enjoying on their own as a snack.
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Savory Tang Yuan
Main Ingredients: Ground Pork, Shrimp, Wood Ear Mushroom, Shiitake
Tang Yuan is a traditional Chinese dessert made with glutinous rice flour balls filled with sweet fillings. This savory twist on the dish uses rehydrated seaweed as the filling, adding a unique and delicious flavor to the dumplings. The seaweed brings a hint of saltiness to the otherwise sweet dish, making it a perfect balance of flavors. These dumplings are a must-try for anyone looking to expand their culinary horizons.
This classic Chinese soup is made with delicate shrimp wontons, a flavorful broth, and rehydrated seaweed. The seaweed adds a depth of flavor to the soup and complements the flavors of the shrimp and other ingredients. It's a light and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a cozy night in or a special dinner party.
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Nourishing Chinese Soup in 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Dried Shrimp, Ginger, Coriander, Water, Silken Tofu
This quick and easy Chinese soup is filled with nutritious ingredients and can be made in just 15 minutes. It's made with rehydrated seaweed, chicken broth, and a variety of vegetables. The seaweed adds a unique flavor and a boost of nutrients to the soup, making it a nourishing and satisfying meal. It's a perfect dish for those busy days when you don't have much time to cook but still want a healthy and delicious meal.
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Seaweed Salad
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Ginger, Rice Vinegar, Liquid Aminos, Sesame
This Japanese-inspired salad is made with rehydrated seaweed, cucumber, and a tangy dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The seaweed adds a satisfying chewiness to the salad, while the dressing brings a burst of flavor. It's a refreshing and healthy side dish that pairs well with any Asian-inspired meal.
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Beef Seaweed Soup
Main Ingredients: Seaweeds, Sesame Oil, Beef Sirloin, Water, Garlic, Soy
This hearty and flavorful soup is a staple in Korean cuisine. It's made with beef, vegetables, and rehydrated seaweed, which adds a unique and delicious flavor to the dish. The seaweed also helps to thicken the soup and add some extra nutrients. It's a comforting and nourishing dish that is perfect for a cold day or when you need a warm and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Seaweed Broth
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Dried Bonito Flake, Lotus Root, Vegetable Oil
This simple yet flavorful broth is commonly used in Japanese cuisine as a base for soups, stews, and other dishes. It's made with rehydrated seaweed, dashi (Japanese soup stock), and soy sauce. The seaweed adds a subtle yet distinct flavor to the broth, making it a staple in many Japanese dishes. You can also use this broth as a base for ramen or udon noodles.
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Seaweed Soup (미역국 Miyeok Gook)
Main Ingredients: Water, Sesame Oil, Salt, Soy Sauce, Seaweed
Seaweed soup is a traditional Korean dish that is often enjoyed on birthdays or after giving birth. It's made with rehydrated seaweed, beef, and other ingredients like mushrooms and tofu. The seaweed adds a unique flavor and a variety of nutrients to the soup, making it a nourishing and comforting dish. It's a staple in Korean households and is often enjoyed as a side dish with rice.
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Seaweed Seasoning
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Peas, Kosher Salt
Did you know that you can use seaweed as a seasoning for your dishes? Simply grind up some rehydrated seaweed and use it to add a boost of nutrients and flavor to your meals. You can sprinkle it on top of rice, soups, stir-fries, or anything else you desire. It's a simple and delicious way to add some extra nutrition to your meals.
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Seaweed Casserole
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Chopped Potatoes, Chopped Carrots, Medium
This hearty and nutritious casserole is a great way to incorporate seaweed into your meals. It's made with rehydrated seaweed, quinoa, vegetables, and cheese. The seaweed adds a unique flavor and texture to the casserole, making it a delicious and healthy dish. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a side dish for a special occasion.
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Seaweed Wraps
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Sticky Rice, Water, Sugar, Salt, Rice Vinegar
Seaweed wraps are a popular dish in many Asian countries. They are made with rehydrated seaweed, rice, and a variety of fillings such as vegetables, meat, or seafood. The seaweed adds a satisfying crunch and a unique flavor to the wraps, making them a delicious and healthy meal option. You can also make them vegetarian by using tofu or tempeh as a filling.
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Homemade Roasted Seaweed
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Sesame Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Fine Sea Salt
If you're a fan of store-bought roasted seaweed snacks, then you'll love this homemade version. Simply roast rehydrated seaweed with a bit of oil and seasoning to make a delicious and addictive snack. The seaweed is packed with nutrients and the roasting process brings out its natural umami flavor. It's a great healthy alternative to potato chips or other processed snacks.
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Korean Seaweed Salad
Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Onion, English Cucumber, Rice Vinegar, Soy
This Korean-style seaweed salad is made with rehydrated seaweed, onions, and a tangy dressing made with vinegar and sugar. The seaweed adds a unique texture and a variety of nutrients to the salad, making it a delicious and healthy side dish. It's also a great option for those who are looking for a low-calorie and gluten-free salad option.
The History of Seaweed in Chinese Cuisine
The Early Days
Seaweed has been a part of Chinese cuisine for centuries, with its first recorded use dating back to the Zhou Dynasty in 1046 BC. It was primarily used as a medicinal ingredient and was thought to have healing properties. However, over time it became a staple in Chinese cuisine due to its abundance and versatility.
The Influence of Buddhism
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Buddhism spread throughout China and had a significant impact on the country's cuisine. Buddhist monks, who followed a vegetarian diet, began incorporating seaweed into their meals as a source of protein and nutrients. This led to the creation of various seaweed-based dishes, including the famous Chinese restaurant seaweed recipe.
The Modern Day
Today, seaweed is a widely used ingredient in Chinese cuisine and is known for its umami flavor and nutritional benefits. It is believed to aid in digestion, improve heart health, and boost the immune system. With the rise of vegetarian and vegan diets, seaweed has become even more popular as a plant-based protein source.
Preparing Chinese Restaurant Seaweed
The Ingredients
The key ingredient in Chinese restaurant seaweed is dried seaweed, also known as nori. Other essential ingredients include soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar. These simple ingredients come together to create a delicious and healthy dish.
The Cooking Process
To prepare Chinese restaurant seaweed, the dried seaweed is first rehydrated in hot water and then deep-fried until crispy. The fried seaweed is then tossed in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar. Some variations of the recipe also include other ingredients such as garlic, chili flakes, or sesame seeds.
Serving Suggestions
Chinese restaurant seaweed is typically served as an appetizer or side dish. It can also be used as a topping for rice or noodles dishes. Its crispy texture and umami flavor make it a perfect accompaniment to a variety of Chinese dishes.
In conclusion, the Chinese restaurant seaweed recipe is a delicious and nutritious dish that has stood the test of time. Its rich history and simplicity make it a popular choice in Chinese cuisine and a must-try for anyone looking to expand their taste palate. So next time you visit a Chinese restaurant, be sure to give this flavorful dish a try.