西施舌 (xīshīshé) · Coastal otter clam (Coelomactra antiquata)

Measure Word

一只西施舌 zhī

Meanings

1 Coastal otter clam (Coelomactra antiquata)
2 'Xishi's tongue' clam

About the ingredient

水产 Fish and seafood

A large clam from sandy shores, best known from Zhanggang near Fuzhou in Fujian. Its meat is sliced thin, blanched until barely cooked and served in boiling chicken broth, a classic Fujian dish.

Contains shellfish

Characters

西

xī

west (part of Xi Shi's name)

Examples

HSK 7-9

西施舌肉质细嫩，味道鲜美。

Xīshīshé ròuzhì xìnèn, wèidào xiānměi.

Xishi's tongue clam has tender flesh and a delicious flavor.

HSK 7-9

福建沿海盛产西施舌。

Fújiàn yánhǎi shèngchǎn xīshīshé.

The Fujian coast is rich in xishishe clams.

Tips

culture

A prized clam species found along the Fujian and Guangdong coasts. Named after the legendary beauty Xi Shi (西施) because the white protruding foot of the clam is said to resemble her tongue. Celebrated in Liang Shiqiu's food essays.