Dandong Large Yellow Clams

Dandong Large Yellow Clams

Dandong Large Yellow Clams are a geographical indication certification trademark.

Dandong Large Yellow Clams are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The large yellow clam, a specialty aquatic product of Dandong, has the scientific name Corbicula fluminea. It is found in the shallow waters of the Yellow Sea, with a yellow shell and yellow flesh. Its axe-shaped shell features dark yellow patterns. The clam meat contains protein, various vitamins, and essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and selenium. It also contains trace amounts of cobalt, which is beneficial for maintaining hematopoietic function and liver recovery, making it highly nutritious. Thanks to the nutrient-rich waters near Donggang in Dandong, the yellow clams produced here are larger, plumper, tastier, and more nutritious than those from other regions.

　　Yellow clams are suitable for various cooking methods such as quick blanching, boiling, and stir-frying. However, the best way to enjoy them is over charcoal grilling. Place the cleaned, sand-free yellow clams on the hot charcoal. The glowing red charcoal, golden clam shells, and rising steam are truly mouthwatering. Once the clams open, carefully remove them from the heat, pick up the hot clam meat with chopsticks, and pop it into your mouth—the burst of juicy flavor is incredibly satisfying, even more so than eating bird’s nest or shark fin. The most delicious part of the yellow clam isn’t the meat but the juice inside. Ancient people believed this was the true delicacy, leaving a lingering aftertaste and making it a true gourmet treasure. It’s especially perfect for gatherings with friends, where you can enjoy fine wine, chat, and savor this earthly delight. In Donggang, Dandong, some people even pry open live yellow clams and pop the plump meat directly into their mouths. Dandong Large Yellow Clams are a top choice for grilling, and today, there are grilled clam restaurants serving them all over China.

　　During the Qing Dynasty, Guo Lin once praised its deliciousness in “Gui Zhi Xiang · Yellow Clams” with the phrase “a rare delicacy of the river region.” The people of Donggang love yellow clams even more than that.

　　When eating yellow clams at home, it’s best to soak them in clean water for a day in advance. This allows the clams to clean themselves and expel any sand or mud inside, preventing a gritty texture while eating.

　　Dandong Large Yellow Clams

　　Geographic Range

　　Dandong Large Yellow Clams are mainly produced in the nearshore shallow waters of Donggang City. The protected geographic area: the eastern boundary is from 124°08′27.36″ east longitude, 39°43′31.51″ north latitude to 124°07′39.54″ east longitude, 39°36′40″ north latitude; the southern boundary is the 10-meter isobath; the western boundary is from 123°30′52.81″ east longitude, 39°45′24.56″ north latitude to 123°31′06.00″ east longitude, 39°38′30″ north latitude; the northern boundary is the 0-meter isobath. The total area is 70,660 hectares.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　Dandong Large Yellow Clams are one of the few remaining high-quality species of Chinese clams in China, concentrated in the fishing grounds of the Yalu River Estuary. The unique marine hydrological, chemical, and biological conditions of the Yalu River Estuary fishing grounds, along with the distinctive marine environment, contribute to the unique quality of Dandong Large Yellow Clams. (1) External Characteristics: Dandong Large Yellow Clams are large and plump, with a relatively round triangular shape. In shallow waters, their shells are yellowish-brown, turning blackish-brown in deeper waters. The shell surface is smooth with growth lines, which become more pronounced toward the ventral edge and along the front and back edges, with the back edge being longer than the front. The umbo is purple, protruding from the dorsal edge and leaning slightly toward the front edge. (2) Internal Quality: Dandong Large Yellow Clams have thin shells and thick, tender, and plump meat rich in protein, fat, and various minerals, offering an excellent taste. Their nutritional content includes 11.47g of protein, 344mg of calcium, 249mg of iron, 41mg of phosphorus, 0.52mg of selenium, and 0.08mg of riboflavin per 100g. (3) Safety Requirements: In accordance with laws and regulations such as the "Fisheries Law of the People's Republic of China," "Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China," "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," and "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," as well as pollution-free agricultural product production standards, management of fishing grounds is strengthened. Strict enforcement is applied to seawater quality standards (GB3097-1997), fishery water quality standards (GB11607-1997), and pollution-free food seawater aquaculture water quality standards (NY5052-2001).