Life in China 2016: A Picture A Day, June 20 – Dried Starfish – Although starfish are sold in some places in China as snacks by street food vendors, I can’t find any information about people actually liking them! The supermarket near us does currently have sea stars or “hai xing” in the dried seafood section though, and they seem to be more commonly used to make a broth. I’ve been told by Chinese friends before that seahorses and horseshoe crabs are used in broth also, just for flavoring and nutritional value, but they are not actually eaten. Some examples of broth ingredients are starfish, pork, ginger, honey and a couple of dates. Another kind has carrots, corn, and lily bulb. One website, when translated to English, states “Starfish medicinal value: for acute slow convulsion, tetanus, epilepsy, epigastric pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, stomach ulcers. Has Anticonvulsant sedative effect.” http://www.haodou.com/recipe/791816/ I have not personally made this though. If anyone reading this has, please feel free to comment!