🍽️ Yellow Clam

Estuary clams, plump and briny.

Yellow clams are premium shellfish from the mouth of the Yalu River at Dandong, Liaoning, prized for their bright yellow shells and plump flesh. Where fresh and seawater mix at the estuary, the clams grow especially fat and sweet, reaching their best in spring and early summer. Locals most often grill them over charcoal or boil them in plain water until they open, seasoning only lightly with salt or a dab of wasabi sauce to preserve the natural flavor. The meat is tender, juicy and bright with the clean taste of the sea. At riverside seafood stalls in Dandong, yellow clams are served with grilled scallops and stir-fried shellfish and local beer, a must-taste estuary delicacy for visitors.