Cantonese Seafood Recipe

Ginger Scallion Clams

Ginger scallion clams are a Cantonese shellfish dish with fresh clams, ginger, scallions, garlic, and a light savory sauce.

Recipe at a glance

PurposeAdditional Chinese restaurant menu recipe family
Cuisine or formatCantonese Seafood
Consolidation ruleClosely related menu names are treated as one recipe family when the sauce, technique, or format is the same.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb clams, scrubbed
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 6 slices ginger
  • 4 scallions
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine, optional
  • 1/2 cup stock or water
  • White pepper
  • Cornstarch slurry, optional

Method

  1. Scrub clams and discard any that do not close.
  2. Fry ginger, garlic, and scallion whites.
  3. Add clams and wine if using.
  4. Add stock or water and cover until clams open.
  5. Add soy sauce and white pepper.
  6. Thicken lightly if desired.
  7. Finish with scallion greens.

Menu-literacy notes

  • Discard clams that remain closed after cooking.
  • Ginger-scallion is a Cantonese seafood pattern.
  • This is distinct from clams with black bean sauce.

Menu appearances covered by this recipe

  • Clams with Ginger and Scallion
  • Clams with Scallion
  • Sauteed Clams

Variations and substitutions

  • Adjust protein, vegetables, and heat level only when the core technique and sauce remain recognizable.
  • For allergies or religious dietary needs, check sauces, broth, wrappers, cooking wine, nuts, sesame, shellfish, and shared wok or fryer use.
  • For restaurant-style versions, texture matters as much as flavor: fried items should stay crisp, noodles should not become mushy, and sauces should coat rather than flood the dish.

Related guides