Imitation Shark Fin Soup

Imitation shark fin soup is a common street food sold in Hong Kong and Malaysia especially at night markets. It is an easy and fast soup recipe with the authentic taste like the original.

4.75 stars

Preparation 20 mins
Cooking 80 mins

Soup

碗仔翅

Malaysian, Singaporean

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Nutrition per Serving

243 kcal
29 g
5 g
18 g


Shark fin soup was once the dish often served at wedding banquets, birthday dinners of elders and of course, during Chinese New Year dinners. When news broke out about the horrible truth of how sharks were tortured just to obtain their fins, imitation shark fins became popular.

What is imitation shark fin made of?

Imitation shark fin made to look like the real thing is by using agar-agar. It creates the translucent long strips that look like real shark fins. These agar-agar strips can be bought at Asian grocers or supermarkets although they aren't often available. Therefore, the best substitute for shark fins are Korean glass noodles which are cut short to lengths of ca. 5 cm.

What makes the flavour of imitation shark fin soup authentic?

Although a substitute of shark fin was used instead, I really do think the taste and amazing flavours of the soup were kept intact as how I remembered it. The trick was to use homemade broth comprising of chicken drumstick and scallops to bring out the best flavours. You may substitute dried scallops with a tablespoon of oyster sauce. A bit of dark soy sauce is used to give it some colour.

Can I prepare shark fin soup in advance?

If you like, prepare the broth hours in advance or it can be prepared 3 days earlier although I would not recommend the latter. It would be more delicious if it is freshly prepared.

How to serve shark fin soup?

Serve this soup as an appetizer with a few drops of sesame oil and some Chinese black vinegar. Oh, so yummy!


Ingredients

Servings:  
2
shiitake mushroom(s)
10
scallops (dried)
4 tbsp
Korean glass noodles
1 1⁄5 l
water
1
chicken drumstick(s)
1
black fungus/mu-er mushroom(s)
2 tsp
crab meat
1 tbsp
shaoxing wine
1 tbsp
soy sauce
1 tsp
salt
1⁄2 tbsp
dark soy sauce
2 tbsp
corn starch
1 tbsp
water
1⁄2 tsp
white pepper
1
egg(s)

Steps to Prepare

Imitation Shark Fin Soup Step 1

Step 1 of 4

    • 2 shiitake mushroom(s)
    • 10 scallops (dried)
    • 4 tbsp Korean glass noodles
    • 1 1⁄5 l water
    • 1 chicken drumstick(s)
    • 1 black fungus/mu-er mushroom(s)

Hydrate dried shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushroom and Korean glass noodles in room temperature water until soft. In a pot, boil water and allow it to simmer along with drumstick and dried scallops for an hour. Then, remove drumstick and scallops from broth and shred them.

Imitation Shark Fin Soup Step 2

Step 2 of 4

    • 2 tsp crab meat
    • 1 tbsp shaoxing wine
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Boil broth at medium to high heat. Add shredded drumstick, scallops, crab meat, sliced wood ear mushrooms, sliced shiitake mushrooms, Shaoxing wine and soy sauce. Boil for 10 minutes.

Imitation Shark Fin Soup Step 3

Step 3 of 4

    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1⁄2 tbsp dark soy sauce
    • 2 tbsp corn starch
    • 1 tbsp water
    • 1⁄2 tsp white pepper

Add a pinch of salt and pepper along with dark soya sauce. To thicken the soup, mix water and cornstarch and add into the soup.

Imitation Shark Fin Soup Step 4

Step 4 of 4

    • 1 egg(s)

Beat an egg and carefully pour it into soup. Turn stove off after 10 seconds. Serve with some Chinese black vinegar and a few drops of sesame oil.

Published: January 15, 2017


2 Discussions

Karen
4 years ago

Karen

Superb recipe! My parents like the soup 10/10 😋

Ella
4 years ago

Ella

This recipe is amazing. I am a Malaysian based in UK and have recreated this dish following the recipe (except for the glass noodles). The taste really brought my husband and I back to the 'Malaysian Chinese weddings'. Our cravings, curbed well! <3

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