Buddha Jumps Over the Wall! Traditional famous dish from Fujian Province

“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall”, also known as “Fortune and Longevity”, is a traditional famous dish from Fujian Province and belongs to the Min cuisine category. This dish is known for its careful selection of ingredients, precise preparation, and delicious taste, making it one of the classics in the eight major cuisines of China. The name “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” comes from its overflowing fragrance, which according to legend can tempt even the Buddhist monks to jump over the wall to taste it.

Preparation of Ingredients

• Seafood: gelatin (also known as fish maw), sea cucumber, abalone, shiitake mushroom, conpoy (dried scallop)
• Meat: pigeon eggs, pork belly, chicken
• Others: Shaoxing wine, broth, fish maw, fish stomach
• Seasonings: salt, monosodium glutamate, pepper powder, green onion and ginger, granulated sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce

Steps for cooking

1. Preparation of Ingredients:

   • Soak the seafood ingredients in advance, cleaning it carefully. The soaking and preparation of the gelatin, sea cucumber, and abalone need to be carried out according to their respective characteristics.
   • Boil the pigeon eggs until they are cooked and remove the shell.
   • Cut the meat into pieces and blanch it in boiling water to remove the smell.

2. Stew:

   • Take a stew pot and place the prepared seafood and meat ingredients layer by layer, with the pigeon eggs on top.
   • Add an appropriate amount of broth, followed by green onions, ginger, Shaoxing wine, salt, MSG, and pepper as seasonings.
   • Seal the stew pot with cling wrap and put it in the steamer. Steam over high heat for 2-3 hours until the ingredients are soft and flavorful.

3. Thicken soup:

   • During the steaming process, keep an eye on the amount of water to avoid burning the pot.
   • When the ingredients are stewed until they are soft, remove the green onions and ginger, and simmer the soup over low heat until it is rich and thick.

4. Plate:

   • Pour the stewed “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” into an appropriate container, keeping the layers of ingredients distinct.
   • The soup is thick, golden in color, rich in ingredients, and has an enticing fragrance.

Cooking Tips

• The key to “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is the selection of ingredients and control of the heat. The seafood and meat ingredients must be fresh, and the stewing time must be long enough to fully fuse the flavors of the ingredients.
• It takes patience to soak the seafood ingredients. The soaking time and methods for different ingredients vary and need to be adjusted according to their characteristics.
• The soup of “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is very particular and requires a good quality broth or chicken soup as a base. Adding Shaoxing wine can further enhance the overall flavor.
• ”Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is a labor-intensive dish. Although the process requires care and patience, the delicious final product is worth the effort.

”Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is not only a delicious dish, but it also carries rich cultural connotations and culinary art. Its unique taste and nutritional value make it a shining gem in Chinese cuisine. I hope you will try making this traditional famous dish and experience the breadth and depth of Chinese cuisine.

(some images from the internet or ai)