Seafood Vermicelli Cake (Haixian Mengzi in Chinese, a classic Dalian street food)
Seafood Vermicelli Cake is an iconic street food from Dalian, Northeast China, beloved for its chewy, bouncy texture and rich umami blend of seared vermicelli cake and fresh seafood. The “mengzi” (vermicelli cake) is made from mung bean starch, boiled into a jelly-like block then pan-seared to crisp the surface while keeping the interior tender. It’s tossed with plump shrimp, succulent clams, and a savory sauce of sesame paste, garlic, and chili oil—marrying the earthiness of the starch with the brininess of seafood. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or casual main dish, it’s a must-try for anyone craving authentic Chinese coastal street flavor.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make vermicelli cake (Mengzi, 1 day in advance recommended): In a small bowl, mix mung bean starch with 1/2 cup cold water and salt until fully dissolved (no lumps). Pour 2 cups cold water into a small pot, bring to a rolling boil. Slowly pour the starch mixture into the boiling water while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium, keep stirring for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens into a translucent, sticky paste. Transfer to a greased square container, smooth the surface, and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until set. Cut the set cake into 1.5-inch cubes.
- Prep seafood: Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Scrub clams/mussels under running water to remove sand. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add clams, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes until shells open (discard unopened ones). Remove clams, let cool slightly, then pick out the meat (discard shells). Reserve 1/4 cup clam broth for sauce if desired.
- Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine stirred sesame paste, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, chili oil, and 2 tablespoons water. Stir until smooth—add a splash of reserved clam broth if too thick. Set aside.
- Sear the vermicelli cake: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the cubed vermicelli cake, spread in a single layer. Sear for 3-4 minutes until the bottom turns golden and crispy. Flip each cube carefully (use a spatula) and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate temporarily.
- Stir-fry seafood and aromatics: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add minced garlic, white parts of green onions, and red chili (if using). Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shrimp and clam meat, stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Combine and serve: Return the seared vermicelli cake to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture, toss gently with a spatula to coat evenly (be careful not to break the cake). Cook for 1 minute to let flavors meld. Sprinkle with green parts of green onions and drizzle with sesame oil. Transfer to a serving plate immediately—serve hot to enjoy the crispy exterior and chewy interior.
Notes
– Vermicelli cake key: Use mung bean starch for the authentic chewy texture—cornstarch will be softer and less bouncy. Refrigerating the cake overnight ensures it holds shape when searing.
– Searing tip: Don’t move the cake cubes too early while searing—let them crisp for 3 minutes before flipping to avoid sticking. A well-heated pan is essential.
– Seafood substitution: Use scallops, squid rings, or crab sticks if clams/shrimp are unavailable—all add great brininess. Ensure seafood is fresh to avoid fishy odor.
– Sauce adjustment: For a lighter version, reduce sesame paste to 2 tablespoons. Add a pinch of five-spice powder for extra depth, or omit chili oil for a kid-friendly option.
– Time-saver: Use store-bought frozen vermicelli cake (thaw and pat dry before searing) to skip the homemade step—look for “mung bean vermicelli cake” in Asian grocery stores.
– Searing tip: Don’t move the cake cubes too early while searing—let them crisp for 3 minutes before flipping to avoid sticking. A well-heated pan is essential.
– Seafood substitution: Use scallops, squid rings, or crab sticks if clams/shrimp are unavailable—all add great brininess. Ensure seafood is fresh to avoid fishy odor.
– Sauce adjustment: For a lighter version, reduce sesame paste to 2 tablespoons. Add a pinch of five-spice powder for extra depth, or omit chili oil for a kid-friendly option.
– Time-saver: Use store-bought frozen vermicelli cake (thaw and pat dry before searing) to skip the homemade step—look for “mung bean vermicelli cake” in Asian grocery stores.
