Chinese name: 罐頭鮑魚 (guàntóu bàoyú)

What is abalone?

• Abalone is a sea mollusk found in cold water off the coasts of Southern New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, and North America and Japan.
• For the Chinese, it is considered one of the big four delicacies of the sea “鮑、參、翅、肚”.
• Abalone is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, thus a must-have at feasts and festivities.

What is canned abalone?

• Canned abalone is imported from Japan, Mexico, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Canned abalone is most often used in home cooking because it is cheaper and easier to prepare.

How do I prepare/eat canned abalone?

• Canned abalone requires little preparation. Slice thinly and saute slightly to warm and serve with abalone sauce (often over a bed of green vegetables).

How do I select canned abalone?

• Each is categorized by 頭, or “heads”: the fewer the “heads”, the bigger the piece of abalone.
• Keep in mind that larger abalones are more rare and slightly more expensive.
• The taste and texture of each abalone differ depending on origin.