Is fake always bad? In the world of plant-based food, bowl shark fin soup is a perfect example of something that’s affordable, cruelty-free, yet full of flavour.
Bowl shark fin soup is a well-known street food across Asia. Despite the word “shark fin” in its name, this dish does not contain a single real shark fin. For many, it actually tastes even better than the real thing. Instead of real shark fins, this dish uses glass noodle, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and egg strips, and adds a bit of water chestnut flour to make the broth thick and smooth, mimicking the texture of shark fin soup. Since it is served in small bowls by street hawkers, it is lovingly called “bowl shark fin” or “shark fin soup.”
A taste of status
Shark fins have always been seen as a luxury ingredient in traditional Asian food culture, representing wealth and status. In ancient royal banquets, official weddings, or other important occasions, shark fin soup was a must-have dish. Catching and processing shark fins was a difficult and costly task, making them expensive. So, being able to serve shark fin soup was a way to show off the host’s financial power and social standing. If there was shark fin on the table, it was like saying, “Look, I’m rich and I can afford this!”
The clever street hawkers
Some people believe that eating shark fins makes them look cool and important, but is it really that impressive? Haha! Some clever street hawkers came up with a brilliant idea – creating bowl shark fin soup with glass noodle instead of expensive shark fins. It is just as smooth and delicious, but the price is much more affordable! This way, most people can enjoy the taste of “shark fin” too, without spending a fortune and while helping protect sharks.
Behind the real shark fin
Shark fin may sound fancy, but there is a cruel secret behind it. The process of catching shark fins is brutal. Fishermen catch sharks, cut off their fins, and throw them back into the ocean to die slowly. Without fins, the sharks can’t swim and eventually die. You know, shark fins have almost no taste of their own. They are mainly eaten for “status” and “face” rather than flavour. That’s why they are so expensive.
Bowl shark fin soup became popular in the 70s and 80s when many places in Asia experienced economic growth. People had a little more money but didn’t want to spend too much on expensive shark fins. That’s when some hawkers introduced a cheaper version of shark fin soup. It became a huge hit and has since become a popular treat in the community. What an affordable and tasty snack! It’s like a luxurious experience for the common people. The deliciousness of glass noodles makes those eating real shark fin soup look like fools. 😁
Creative innovation in plant-based foods
As awareness of environmental issues grew, more and more people began to realise the harm shark finning does to the ocean ecosystem. The status symbol of shark fins was being challenged. Many people started using glass noodles to replace shark fins, keeping the traditional flavours while protecting the environment. From royal banquets to street food, the symbolic meaning of shark fins has evolved, reflecting people’s growing awareness of food and environmental balance.
The plant-based world is super creative! Some brands even make vegan shark fins from seaweed, offering a smooth, refreshing texture like real ones. But whether real or vegan, shark fins don’t have much flavour on their own. They rely on the broth or other ingredient’s flavour to shine.
However, cooking real or vegan shark fins still takes some time to soak in the flavor. That’s where glass noodle comes in as the perfect substitute. Not only is it easy to find and affordable, but it also absorbs the flavour quickly and has a chewy texture. While it can’t completely mimic the texture of shark fins, its smoothness and ability to soak up the broth makes it the star of bowl shark fin soup. Glass noodle is one of those ingredients that almost everyone loves. It’s often just a side dish, but once it’s served, everyone fights to get some, leaving the other ingredients behind!
Bowl shark fin soup isn’t just a street snack. It tells us a story. From being a symbol of luxury to today’s affordable and eco-friendly vegan versions, each choice reflects the changing values of food, culture, and the environment. No matter which version you prefer, the most important thing is that while enjoying delicious food, you’re also showing care for the world around us. Next time you’re enjoying a hot bowl of bowl shark fin soup from a street hawker, take a moment to think about the story behind it. Maybe you’re not just eating a bowl of soup, but also adding a little bit of harmony and goodness to the world.
Don’t underestimate the power of glass noodles! They’ve already saved tons of sharks!
