Laoshan Abalone

Laoshan Abalone

　　Abalone is a famous seafood delicacy in Laoshan, belonging to the phylum Mollusca, class Bivalvia, and family Haliotidae. It is found in the subtidal zone of rocky coastal areas in towns such as Wanggezhuang and Shazikou in Laoshan. Abalone was anciently known as "fù yú" (鳆鱼). The Book of the Later Han records an event where Zhang Bu of Buqi sent envoys to the capital to present fù yú. The Buqi County of the Eastern Han Dynasty included the present-day Laoshan area, which was a habitat for fù yú. On the northern shore of Liuching River Bay in Laoshan lies Abalone Island, named for the abundant abalone in the surrounding waters. Abalone is not only a delicious dish but also holds considerable medicinal value. Its shell, known as Shi Jue Ming in traditional medicine, is used to calm yang, soothe wind, clear heat, improve vision, and promote urination.