Steamed Chinese Yam with Shrimp
….Chinese Yam, known as “ma” in Korean, is primarily cultivated in Asia and is sometimes used in alternative medicine. The edible tubers of this yam species are unique as they can be consumed raw. The slippery component in Chinese yam, called mucin, acts as a type of bioactive substance. However, there can be occasional allergic reactions, so one should exercise caution when handling or consuming them in their raw form, as it may cause itching or hives. Therefore, despite being a simple dish involving finely ground Chinese yams, a little salt, some drops of gukganjang, and steaming in a steamer, it can also help alleviate indigestion or gastrointestinal disorders. My husband particularly enjoys dishes where Chinese yams are cooked together with shrimp without feeling burdened. Hence, I opted to use generously ground Chinese yam as the main ingredient and added shrimp as a garnish. The taste of the Chinese yam steamed in a steamer is closer to the intermediate taste of potatoes and radishes, and it’s also good to sprinkle a little desired seasoning powder to induce a more interesting flavor.
Servings: 1–2
Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 250 g Chinese yam, peeled and grated
- 80 g shrimp (after peeling), peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 3–4 drops of gukganjang
- Sichuan pepper for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
- Grate the Chinese yam finely using a grater.
2. Add the sea salt and gukganjang to the grated yam.
3. Mix it well without clumping.
4. Place it in a serving bowl (choose a bowl that can be placed in a steamer).
5. Add the shrimp to the bowl.
6. Heat a steamer over medium heat and add 4 cups of water to it to boil.
7. Start boiling, place the bowl into the steamer, and steam it for 20 minutes.
8. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the bowl to a counter.
9. Serve it hot, sprinkling some Sichuan pepper for garnish.
You can also view this recipe on Instagram.
