Crystal Salted Pork Hock
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Crystal Salted Pork Hock
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Crystal Salted Pork Hock (Simplified Chinese: 水晶肴蹄; Pinyin: Shuǐjīng yáo tí), also called 肴肉, is a Zhenjiang / Huaiyang cold cut of salted pork hock pressed and set in a translucent gelatin (aspic), sliced thin and often eaten with Zhenjiang vinegar and ginger shreds.
Characteristics
Meat is pink-cured and tender; the surrounding jelly is clear like crystal—hence the name. Flavor is savory-salty with aromatic curing spices; vinegar-ginger dip cuts richness.
Ingredients (overview)
Pork hock or trotter cuts, salt cure, spices (often including fennel or related aromatics), cooking liquid that sets into aspic. Served with ginger shreds and fragrant vinegar.
History and culture
Closely associated with Zhenjiang and broader Jiangsu Food cold-dish tradition. It is listed among Su-cuisine classics with Boiled Shredded Tofu and Three-Nested Duck.
Serving and variations
Sliced cold as an appetizer. See Jiangsu Food.