CHITON—SPECIAL SEAFOOD IN NORTHEAST COAST WITH SUIT OF ARMOR

• Date：2022-08-15
• Page View：1691

[New Taipei City News]A type of delicious food hidden in the cracks of reef rocks in the fishing village in Taiwan’s Northeast Coast roams on reefs, wearing a suit of armor, in the intertidal zone. They are chitons, commonly referred to as armor in Chinese. After being picked and collected by local fishermen, chitons are made into delicious cold dishes which go well with rice and can serve as appetizers. Half of the summer vacation has passed, so why not have a trip of feast in the Northeast Coast to admire the beautiful views of the coast while savoring seasonal seafood with a rich aftertaste? By the Northeast Coast, agile female divers are often seen moving back and forth among reefs, and picking chitons adhering to reefs with self-made tools without much efforts. Chitons that are often spotted in the waters of the Northeast Coast are Liolophura japonica, commonly referred to as armor in Chinese. They have 8 adjacent and slightly overlapping shell plates, making them look like a suit of armor of a warrior. Additionally, they have strong and powerful prolegs which help them attach to rocks. Therefore, it is difficult to pick chitons barehanded.

Xiu-Lian Wu, a female diver, is from Hualien, and has moved all the way from Hualien to Xianglan, Gongliao because she is married to a man she dearly loves. Her husband is engaged in work related to fishery. In the daytime, he goes fishing on the sea. In his leisure time, he goes to the beach with Xiu-Lian to learn more about and pick seaweed, patella, chitons and other marine creatures in the intertidal zone to make ends meet. She uses self-made tools and her super good eyesight to collect plump and delicious chitons. After washing, soaking in fresh water, scalding in hot water, rubbing to remove their shells and hard hair, and conducting multiple processes, she finally gets chewy and crisp chiton. She then sells chiton to restaurants for them to make cold chiton dishes exclusively in the Northeast Coast. Cold chiton is crisp and tasty, and it definitely is must-have refreshing seafood that goes well with rice and can serve as appetizers for the hot weather.  

Fisheries and Fishing Port Affairs Management Office, New Taipei City Government, indicated that New Taipei City has quite a few beautiful fishing ports and unexplored regions. In addition to the gorgeous views of mountains and the sea, the city is rich in chitons, dolphin fish, bonito, flying fish, neritic squid and other seasonal aquatic products. You are welcome to travel to the coastline of New Taipei City more often, visit fishing ports and unexplored regions with the rich culture of a fishing village, and enjoy delicious local seafood dishes at a local restaurant. Moreover, you are welcome to purchase New Taipei City’s premium aquatic products. It is the healthiest to cook by yourself!
For more information about purchasing special aquatic products of New Taipei City, please go to the website of Fisheries and Fishing Port Affairs Management Office, New Taipei City Government at https://is.gd/LsN6lT