I may not be pretty, but I sure am delicious—Matsu’s “Buddha’s Hand” seafood is addictive the more you eat!

▲ This uniquely shaped item is something everyone who has visited Matsu knows about—it’s a beloved local snack often served with drinks.

Reported and photographed by Chen Zi-Yin / Matsu

On your first visit to Matsu, you might be surprised to see a food item that looks like the “palm” of some creature. This unusual item can be found fresh and just-caught at local markets, or prepared in various dishes at restaurants. When you’re in Matsu, trying this oddly shaped “delicacy” is a must.

 
▲ Left and right: Several vendors at Jieshou Lion Market sell “Buddha’s Hand.”

Locals in Matsu call it “Buddha’s Hand” or “Pen Holder,” and its scientific name is “Capitulum mitella.” Calling it a delicacy isn’t without reason—watching locals eat bite after bite, quickly reducing a whole plate to half, makes you eager to find out what this not-so-attractive-looking thing actually tastes like.

Matsu residents say eating Buddha’s Hand is like eating sunflower seeds. You need to bite a hole in the center of the Buddha’s Hand, then pry open the shell to reveal the tender meat inside. Suck out the flesh—it’s the front black part that shouldn’t be eaten. One taste, and you’ll immediately experience a fresh burst of flavor in your mouth. It has an even stronger “ocean taste” than clam-like seafood, and it's so addictive that you simply can’t stop eating.


▲ Just like eating sunflower seeds, break open a gap in the Buddha’s Hand.

 
▲ Once peeled, the inner flesh of the Buddha’s Hand is sweet and tender—caught fresh that day, it’s a restaurant’s promise of deliciousness.

You absolutely have to try Buddha’s Hand when in Matsu. Eating it not only makes you feel more connected to the local culture, but you’ll also discover that despite its strange appearance, it’s surprisingly delicious. Locals stir-fry it, steam it, or use the locally famous “red yeast” to make “Red Yeast Buddha’s Hand”—all are tasty side dishes that pair perfectly with rice.
【Restaurant Information】
Jiyouyuan Inn
Address: No. 95, Lehua Village, Dongyin Township, Lienchiang County
Phone: (0836) 77079, 0928061393