The Ultimate Guide to Lychee: From Lychee Shaved Ice to Deep-Fried Lychee and Meat-Stuffed Lychee

It’s no surprise that with each lychee season, people find creative ways to enjoy this fruit in various forms, including fresh, juiced, preserved in syrup, or combined with other ingredients to create new dishes. Lychees captivate the palate in desserts such as lychee pudding, lychee-infused agar agar, lychee tea, lychee juice, lychee ice cream, lychee jelly tea, and even Elsa-themed lychee treats. Recently, lychees have taken social media by storm with innovative dishes like lychee agar agar and deep-fried lychees with a creamy cheese center…

Unique Lychee Dishes Taking Over Social Media

Here is a collection of lychee-based dishes that are trending among culinary enthusiasts:

Lychee Agar Agar

This dessert is taking TikTok and Facebook by storm. The creamy agar agar blends seamlessly with fresh lychee pieces, creating a harmonious balance of subtle sweetness and a refreshing chill. Some even elevate this treat by adding rose syrup, chia seeds, longan, or blueberries.

To make this delectable lychee agar agar, you’ll need fresh milk, whipping cream (or rich cream), condensed milk, salt, gelatin leaves or powder, lychee flesh without the seed, and sugar (if you want to cook the lychee flesh). If you plan to store it for a longer period, you can marinate the lychee flesh with sugar and lightly cook it on the stove. If you’re consuming it on the same day, you can skip this step. Next, soak the gelatin in water for about 15 minutes to bloom, then squeeze out the excess water.

Combine fresh milk, whipping cream, and condensed milk in a pot, stirring continuously. Heat the mixture over low heat until it reaches approximately 80 degrees Celsius, then add the gelatin and stir until completely dissolved. Arrange the lychee pieces in a container, pour the creamy milk mixture on top, and let it cool down completely before refrigerating for 1-2 days. The final dessert will feature a soft and creamy agar agar complemented by the sweet and slightly crunchy lychee flesh—an ideal summer treat.

Deep-Fried Lychees with a Cheesy Center

This unlikely combination delivers a unique sensory experience: the sweetness of lychees enveloping a creamy cheese center, coated in a crispy batter. It’s not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it perfect for light snacks or appetizers.

To create this mouthwatering treat, you’ll need fresh lychees, cheese (Cheddar is recommended for a balanced flavor), flour, bread crumbs, eggs, and cooking oil. Start by peeling the lychees and using scissors to cut the stems, making it easier to remove the seeds while keeping the flesh intact. Cut the cheese into small cubes and stuff them into the seed cavity of each lychee. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Now, carefully coat each lychee with flour, dip it in the beaten egg, repeat the process once more, and finally, finish with a layer of bread crumbs.

Make sure to coat the lychees thoroughly to prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying. Heat the cooking oil and deep-fry the lychees until they turn golden brown. The final product is a crispy treat with a creamy cheese center, perfectly balanced by the sweet lychee flesh.

Lychee Fried Rice

This innovative twist on fried rice involves mixing diced lychees with Chinese sausage, eggs, and vegetables. The result is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, with the lychees adding a refreshing touch to the dish.

Prepare the fried rice as you normally would, and about 1-2 minutes before turning off the heat, add the diced lychees along with the sausage, eggs, and vegetables. Give it a good stir to infuse the flavors, and then serve it hot.

More Unusual Lychee Creations

The culinary creativity doesn’t stop there. Some adventurous cooks have experimented with lychees in savory dishes, including lychees stuffed with meat and simmered in a sweet and sour sauce, lychee-glazed ribs, steamed lychees with meat stuffing, lychee-stuffed chicken, lychee curry…

These unconventional combinations have sparked curiosity among food enthusiasts, who wonder about the resulting flavors and how these dishes are enjoyed.

Lychees stuffed with meat in a sweet and sour sauce.

Soup with lychees stuffed with meat.

Steamed lychees stuffed with shrimp and meat.

Shrimp and lychee stir-fry.

Lychee-glazed ribs.

Lychees dipped in soy sauce.

Lychee and fruit ice cream.

Many believe that lychees are not only appealing for their taste but also for their photogenic qualities. The white flesh and vibrant red peel create visually stunning dishes. In an era where “eating with your eyes” is almost as important as the taste, lychee-based dishes have become a source of culinary inspiration for many, fueling their creativity in the kitchen and on social media.

On TikTok, videos featuring lychee agar agar have gained significant traction. Users are also sharing their experiences with deep-fried lychees and homemade lychee-rose tea. Lychees have become synonymous with a vibrant and sweet summer.

Additionally, lychees have found their way into elegant European dishes like pavlova with lychees, lychee panna cotta, lychee sorbet, and lychee cocktails, earning praise from international food bloggers as a “tropical multitasker” that lends natural sweetness and sophistication to dishes.

Lychees are no longer just a dessert fruit; they are establishing their place in modern cuisine. With the ingenuity of culinary enthusiasts, lychees have become the star ingredient in a myriad of captivating, unique, and aesthetically pleasing dishes. Although the lychee season is fleeting, the inspiration it sparks is endless. If you’re seeking a tasty way to beat the heat and stay trendy on social media, these lychee-based dishes are definitely worth exploring this summer.

Check out these 5 delicious dishes made with lychees.