Seafood such as clams, mussels… should be washed clean and soaked in water for about 3-5 hours to let them release all the sand and dirt inside before cooking. During soaking, it is recommended to change the water occasionally! For crabs, you can use a brush to clean the legs and claws, then soak them in salty water for a few hours.
3. Dried seafood
Shrimp, squid, dried fish are types of dried seafood that are loved by many people, especially for appetizers or salad. However, all of these types contain some seasoning, preservatives… that can be harmful to your health. To minimize this toxicity, you should boil them in boiling water for about 10 – 15 minutes, then let them drain before cooking.
4. Seafood cooking methods to avoid
Instant grilling (smoke grilling, not oven grilling): The temperature when smoke grilling seafood is usually not enough to kill bacteria in the seafood, or if it does, it only kills bacteria on the surface while the bacteria eggs in the center are still intact. That’s why people with sensitive stomachs are more likely to experience stomach pain when eating grilled seafood.
Dipping in hot pot: Dipping raw seafood in hot pot makes the seafood tender and sweet, but when the seafood is not fully cooked, they may contain parasitic larvae that can cause infection when consumed.