Gangbei Prawns 港北对虾

Gangbei Prawns (港北对虾) come from Gangbei Xiaohai lagoon (港北小海) in Wanning (万宁). They have glossy shells, yellow necks and red flesh, with tender meat beneath a crisp exterior. Both plain blanching and salt-and-pepper preparation are documented ways of cooking them.

Where it comes from

Gangbei is a meeting place of fresh water and salt water. At low tide, fresh water flows towards the harbour and dilutes the salt water, while seaweed grows abundantly below. This is the environment in which the local fish and prawns grow.

Flavour and texture

People’s Daily Online describes the prawns as retaining their savoury flavour through either blanching or salt-and-pepper cooking. Their tender flesh and crisp shell are central to that description, along with the glossy appearance and yellow-red colouring.