Fish maw is dried swim bladders of large fishes like sturgeon. Despite being seemingly an inferior fish product to many, fish maw is exalted in the Chinese community as a delicacy.
Besides, it is a good source of collagen used in food industry to create water-resistant glue (source). It’s spongy texture allows it to absorb the flavours of other ingredients.
Fresh fish maw is cleaned, dried and occasionally deep-fried. However, the owner of the Chinese medicinal shop to me that deep-frying is not recommended and no longer practiced as the fish maw will turn rancid quickly.
Taste & smell
Fish maw is dried swim bladders of large fishes. A quick search on Internet described it as almost tasteless which I disagree. I’ve bought a few grades of fish maw from Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu (both famed for seafood produce) and noticed that higher quality ones smell and tastes significantly better. It has this interesting sea flavour which is described as xin mei/ xian wei ( 鲜味) in Chinese.
Grade, quality & price
Fish maw is more affordable than shark's fin and bird nest. However, it is not inexpensive. It is divided into two grades. Yu Piu (魚鰾) is the lower grade which you can get for about RM 30 for a hundred grams. Whereas the higher grade Fa Gau (花膠) can cost RM 300 for the same weight!
Higher quality fish maw is much thicker and is valued for its collagen. My late grandmother used to spend thousands on these delicacies during Chinese New Year. However, I, the younger generation of Chinese think it's a little too pricey. Thankfully, I found intermediate quality fish maw. At RM 90 per 100 g, I could make a pot of soup for 12 people. I think it's not too bad.
Other names
- English names: fish maw
- Chinese name: yu piu (魚鰾): yu tou (鱼肚) or fa gau (花膠)
How to cook dried fish maw
To prepare, rinse fish maw. Then soak them in a large bowl of water. There should be enough water so there's room for the fish maw to expand. Soak until soft (about 2 hours). Then cut into smaller pieces. Fish maw cooks quickly and normally only added to soup when its almost ready to be served.
How to store
Store in a dark and dry place. You could also keep it in the refrigerator. It should last for many years [My mother kept her high quality fa gau (花膠) for 30 years!]
RECIPE
VIDEO
Here's a recipe I developed at the course of my work with a local dried seafood store in Kuala Lumpur: Fish Maw, Conch, and Scallop Soup in Slow Cooker
FIND THIS USEFUL? GET CURATE RECIPES & FOOD TIPS IN YOUR INBOX
Every month, I send write a personalised e-mail with my favourite recipes, food tips, and recent food adventures. Keep in touch with me by signing-up for my newsletter👇 OR follow me at my personal Instagram.
Pingback: FISH MAW HERBAL SOUP – New Malaysian Kitchen
Pingback: Easy Imitation Shark Fin Soup – 30 min – New Malaysian Kitchen
Pingback: RECIPE: Imitation shark fin soup (30 minutes) – JewelPie
Pingback: Fish Maw Soup – 8 Ingredients – New Malaysian Kitchen
Pingback: RECIPE: Fish Maw Soup For Chinese New Year – 8 ingredients – JewelPie
cholesteral level ?
Hi. Good question. A simple google led me to this page: https://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/30105.pdf
“Limit animal’s internal organs, e.g. beef stomach, pig intestine, ox tongue, ox tail, chicken liver,
duck kidney, fish head, fish maw, fish intestine etc.”