An unlikely but refreshing marriage of watermelon and clams in Hainan’s must-try soup
No one knows fruits better than the people of Hainan. On this island where a wide variety of tropical plants are available all year round, fruits are not only healthy snacks, but also essential ingredients in local dishes. Islanders’ creativity shines through in their fruit recipes: deep-fried banana, toasted durian, salted lemon juice, mango dipped in soy sauce, and all kinds of meat stewed in coconut water...but among them, the watermelon clam soup is a must-try in summer.
Hainan locals proudly recommend this appetizer, dubbed as “the number one soup in Hainan,” as a specialty they’ve enjoyed since childhood. Its origin is untraceable, but enjoying sweet juicy watermelon and fresh seafood sounds like a no-brainer during the island’s sweltering summer months. Boiling both in the same pot might sound too adventurous to some tourists, but locals say they are a perfect match, as the ingredients bring out the best in one other—a unique savory taste that makes your tastebuds dance.
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The Taste of Summer: Learn to Make Delicious Watermelon Soup is a story from our issue, “Lessons For Life.” To read the entire issue, become a subscriber and receive the full magazine.
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