What Delicious Dishes Can You Make With Whelks? Top 13 Simple, Rice-Pairing Meals

Melon snail is a popular seafood in the coastal regions of Central and Southern Vietnam, standing out for its thick, crunchy meat and natural sweetness. If you are wondering what delicious dishes can be made with melon snail, the following list of 13 dishes will surely give you many exciting ideas for family meals or weekend gatherings. Let’s follow Ola Squid in this article!

1. What delicious dishes can be made with melon snail?

Melon snail is a seafood favorite for many people due to its thick, crunchy meat and natural sweetness. Melon snail can be transformed into various dishes, from refreshing mixed salads to flavorful stir-fries and grilled dishes. Here are some easy-to-make melon snail dish suggestions to diversify your meals that you should not miss:

1.1. Melon snail salad with onions

Ingredients needed:

• 1kg melon snail
• 2 onions, 2 shallots
• 300g pork belly, 200g peanuts
• 2 carrots
• 6 lemongrass stalks, garlic, fresh chili
• Vietnamese coriander, mint, celery
• Fish sauce, sugar, vinegar or lime juice

How to make melon snail salad with onions:

• Boil the pork belly in salted water until cooked, let it cool, and then slice into bite-sized pieces. Wash the melon snail, boil with crushed lemongrass until cooked, then remove and soak in cold water. Separate the meat and slice it.
• Thinly slice the onions and quickly soak them in vinegar and sugar to reduce the pungency. Wash the herbs, let them drain, and shred the carrots. Finely mince the garlic and chili, and thinly slice the shallots before frying them until golden and crispy. Roast the peanuts until golden and crush them slightly.
• Next, simmer the fish sauce with sugar and a little water until dissolved, let it cool, then add vinegar or lime juice, minced garlic, and chili. Season for a balanced sweet and sour taste.
• Put the melon snail, pork belly, carrots, onions, and herbs into a large bowl, pour the salad dressing over them, and mix well to absorb the flavors. Finally, arrange on a plate and sprinkle fried shallots and roasted peanuts on top. The melon snail onion salad is complete and tastes even better when served with shrimp crackers.

1.2. Melon snail salad with guava

Ingredients for melon snail guava salad:

• 1 melon snail (approx. 500g)
• 100g pork belly
• 1 guava
• Celery, shallots, Vietnamese coriander
• Lemongrass, ginger, garlic, horn chili, bird’s eye chili
• Fried shallots, roasted peanuts, roasted white sesame seeds
• Fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, chili sauce, MSG, salt

How to make melon snail guava salad:

• Soak the melon snail in rice water for 1-2 hours with a metal object to help the snail release all sand, then rinse with clean water. Boil the snail with crushed lemongrass, sliced ginger, and vinegar for about 10 minutes, then remove to cool, separate the meat, and slice it thinly.
• Remove guava seeds and julienne the flesh; slice the celery, shallots, and horn chili. Chop the Vietnamese coriander and finely mince the lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and bird’s eye chili. Boil the pork belly until cooked, soak in cold water to firm it up, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Next, simmer the fish sauce and sugar until dissolved, let it cool, then stir in the ginger, garlic, minced chili, vinegar, MSG, and chili sauce to create a harmonious sweet and sour taste.
• Sauté the minced lemongrass with cooking oil until fragrant, then add the melon snail and stir-fry quickly over high heat for 3-5 minutes. Then turn off the heat and mix the snail with a portion of the sauce to absorb the flavor.
• Place the guava, pork belly, vegetables, and melon snail in a large bowl. Finally, pour the salad dressing over it, then add white sesame, fried shallots, roasted peanuts, and mix well.

>>See more: What delicious dishes can be made with sweet snail? Try 8 mouth-watering stir-fried sweet snail dishes

1.3. Melon snail salad with mango

Ingredients needed:

• 650g melon snail
• 1 green mango
• A little Vietnamese coriander, 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves, 1 chili
• 2 teaspoons fried shallots
• 4 tablespoons roasted peanuts
• Fish sauce, vinegar, white wine, sugar, salt, MSG

Instructions for making melon snail mango salad:

• First, soak the melon snail in salt water for about 1 hour to clean the sand, then rinse multiple times. Boil the snail in boiling water with vinegar and white wine for about 30 minutes to remove the fishy smell, then remove and let it cool.
• Peel the mango and shred it. Thinly slice the onion and chop the Vietnamese coriander. Pound the garlic and chili with salt, MSG, and sugar, then mix with fish sauce to make the salad dressing.
• Next, separate the snail meat, scrape it clean, and discard the gut to avoid a bitter taste. Quickly blanch the snail meat in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then slice it thinly into bite-sized pieces.
• Put the mango, onion, melon snail, Vietnamese coriander, seasoning mixture, and half of the peanuts in a large bowl, and mix well to absorb the flavor. Finally, arrange on a plate, then sprinkle the remaining peanuts and fried shallots on top.

1.4. Stir-fried noodles with melon snail

Prepare ingredients:

• 1kg melon snail
• 200g water spinach (morning glory)
• 2 packs of instant noodles
• 20g green chili, 3-4 red chilies
• 20g minced garlic, 20g minced chili
• 1 ginger root, 2 lemongrass stalks
• 150ml water
• Fish sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, chili powder, cooking oil, margarine, chili sauce, satay

How to prepare stir-fried noodles with melon snail:

• After buying the snails, scrub the shells clean, then boil them with lemongrass and ginger in enough water for about 20 minutes. Remove them, wash the meat quickly with cold water, drain, and slice thinly.
• Next, boil the noodles in boiling water for about 20 seconds, remove and drain, keeping them slightly chewy. Remove the leaves from the water spinach and cut into bite-sized lengths. Cut the onion into pieces, wash the chilies, and remove the stems.
• Sauté the garlic and onion with cooking oil, then add the green chili and stir-fry quickly. Add fish sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, chili sauce, satay, chili powder, and minced chili, then stir until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Add the melon snail to the sauce pan, then stir-fry for 3-4 minutes to absorb the seasoning. Continue adding the water spinach and noodles, tossing quickly until just cooked and the noodles are well-separated. Finally, turn off the heat, decorate with red chili, and enjoy.

>>Check now: What delicious dishes can be made with spotted babylon? 12 attractive ways to prepare spotted babylon

1.5. Melon snail stir-fried with garlic butter

Ingredients include:

• 500g fresh melon snail
• 1 large garlic bulb, 2 chilies
• 50g unsalted butter
• 3 lime leaves
• Vietnamese coriander, ginger
• Salt, seasoning powder, fish sauce, ground pepper

Instructions for making melon snail stir-fried with garlic butter are as follows:

• Scrub the melon snail shells clean, soak in rice water or diluted salt water for about 30 minutes to clean the sand, then rinse multiple times. Mince the garlic, slice the chilies, julienne the ginger and lime leaves, and chop the Vietnamese coriander.
• Then, boil a pot of water with a little salt, ginger, and lime leaves, and put the snail in to boil for 5-7 minutes until just cooked. Remove and drain, separate the snail meat, and rinse it clean again.
• Next, melt the butter in a pan, sauté the garlic until fragrant, then add the melon snail and toss well. Season with salt, seasoning powder, pepper, and fish sauce; stir-fry over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to absorb the flavor.
• Add the chili and lime leaves and toss quickly to release the aroma. Finally, turn off the heat and sprinkle Vietnamese coriander on top, then arrange on a plate to enjoy. You can eat it with bread or steamed rice while hot to get the best taste.

1.6. Melon snail stir-fried with satay

Ingredients to prepare:

• 400g melon snail
• 2 lemongrass stalks, onion
• Filtered water
• Garlic, horn chili, shallots
• Sugar, MSG, seasoning powder, chili sauce, shrimp satay, ground pepper, cooking oil, oyster sauce

Detailed instructions for melon snail stir-fried with satay:

• Boil the melon snail until cooked, separate the meat, rinse and drain, then cut into slightly thick slices. Mince one lemongrass stalk and slice the other. Thinly slice the shallots and horn chili, and mince the garlic. Peel the onion, wash it, and cut into wedges.
• Next, put a pan on the stove and heat with cooking oil; sauté the shallots, garlic, and minced lemongrass. Add the melon snail and toss well over medium heat, then season with sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, oyster sauce, chili sauce, ground pepper, shrimp satay, and a little filtered water.
• Continue stir-frying until the sauce thickens, then add the onion, sliced lemongrass, and chili. Toss quickly. Once the onion is just cooked, turn off the heat, arrange on a plate, and enjoy.

1.7. Melon snail stir-fried with salted egg

Ingredients needed:

• 100g melon snail (out of shell)
• 6 salted egg yolks
• 40g butter, 10g minced ginger
• 10g minced chili, 10g minced garlic
• Sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil, filtered water

How to prepare melon snail stir-fried with salted egg:

• After purchasing, soak the snails in a bowl to release sand, then boil for about 5 minutes. Remove them, let them cool, and slice into bite-sized pieces.
• Sauté the minced garlic and chili in hot oil, add the mashed salted egg yolks, toss for 2 minutes, then add the butter and stir until melted. Continue adding 50ml of water, season with sugar and fish sauce, and stir until the sauce is thick and smooth.
• Add the snail to the sauce, then toss well for about 5 minutes to absorb the seasoning. Finally, arrange the snails on a plate and you can add fried pork fat on top to complete it.

See more: What delicious dishes can be made with hairy cockles? Discover easy-to-make dishes

1.8. Melon snail stir-fried with water spinach

Ingredients:

• 2 melon snails
• 3 lemongrass stalks
• 500g water spinach
• 10g minced garlic, 10g minced shallots
• 5g minced chili
• Cooking oil, seasoning powder, fish sauce, sugar, MSG, soy sauce

How to make melon snail stir-fried with water spinach:

• Soak the snails in water with a few chili slices and stainless steel tools for about 1-2 hours to release sand, then rinse clean. Blanch the snails in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then remove them, separate the meat, rinse again, and slice into bite-sized pieces.
• Pick off the old leaves, cut the water spinach into bite-sized lengths, then wash clean and soak in diluted salt water for 2-3 minutes, then drain.
• Next, sauté the minced garlic with hot oil, add the snail meat and toss with soy sauce, MSG, and a little water until the snail is firm and fragrant. Stir-fry the water spinach over high heat to maintain its green color and crunchiness, then add the snail and toss together for about 30 seconds. Season to taste.
• Finally, arrange the melon snail stir-fried with water spinach on a plate. The dish has the vibrant green of the vegetables, the crunchy ivory-white of the snail, and the light golden touch of fried garlic, making it attractive and eye-catching.

1.9. Melon snail stir-fried with tamarind

Ingredients needed:

• 400g melon snail
• 3 fresh chilies
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 1 cup of Vietnamese coriander
• Rice water (optional)
• Salt, cooking oil, tamarind sauce, sugar

How to make melon snail stir-fried with tamarind:

• Soak the snail in rice water with 2 chopped chilies for about 1-2 hours to remove sand and impurities, then wash clean. Briefly boil the snail with a little salt until just cooked, remove it to separate the snail meat, then rinse and slice into bite-sized pieces.
• Next, put a pan on the stove and sauté the minced shallots and garlic with hot oil until golden and fragrant. Add the tamarind sauce, sugar, and a little salt, and stir well. When the sauce boils, add the snail and toss well to absorb the seasoning.
• Finally, add the chopped chilies and Vietnamese coriander and toss quickly for 1-2 minutes to complete. The stir-fried snail with tamarind has a bold sweet and sour taste, the spicy aroma of garlic and chili, and the scent of Vietnamese coriander.

1.10. Melon snail stir-fried with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 2 melon snails
• 10 shiitake mushrooms
• 300g bok choy
• 6 slices of carrot carved into flowers
• 30g crushed garlic
• 3/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• ½ tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• Sugar, salt, pepper, seasoning powder

How to make melon snail stir-fried with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms:

• Soak the snail in salt water mixed with vinegar for about 1 hour to remove sand and slime. Boil the snail with a little salt and rice vinegar for 20 minutes, then rinse cold, separate the meat, and cut into bite-sized slices.
• Soak the shiitake mushrooms in water for 30 minutes, then drain. Remove the old leaves of the bok choy and wash clean. Briefly boil the carrots and bok choy in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drop into ice water to maintain crunchiness, then remove and drain.
• Next, mix the snail meat with the shiitake mushrooms, season with 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and let it sit for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavor.
• Heat the cooking oil and sauté the garlic until golden and fragrant. Add the snail and mushrooms and stir-fry quickly for 1 minute, then remove to a plate. Use that same pan to stir-fry the bok choy and carrots, then add the snail and mushrooms back in. Add oyster sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, rice vinegar, and filtered water. Toss for 1 minute and then turn off the heat.
• Finally, arrange the dish on a plate. The melon snail stir-fried with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms has eye-catching colors, the crunchiness of the vegetables, and the fragrant sweetness of the snail and mushrooms, which is very attractive when served hot.

>>See more: What delicious dishes can be made with clams? A roundup of 19 must-try clam dishes

1.11. Melon snail grilled with chili salt

Ingredients

• 1kg melon snail
• 4 chilies
• 2 lemons, 4 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon satay, 3 teaspoons honey
• Salt, sugar, MSG

How to prepare melon snail grilled with chili salt:

• First, soak the snails in salt water mixed with lemon for about 1 hour to remove sand and slime, then wash clean and drain. Peel the garlic, crush it, and mince it. Remove chili stems, wash clean, then drain and squeeze the lemons for juice.
• Next, put the snails in a pot with enough water to cover them and boil for 15-20 minutes until soft. Remove them, separate the meat, discard the liver, wash clean, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix 1.5 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of MSG, 4 teaspoons of sugar, chili, honey, minced garlic, satay, and lemon juice in a bowl and stir well. Toss the snail meat into this mixture to absorb the seasoning.
• Put the snail meat back into the shells, then arrange them on a baking tray. Preheat the oven to 180°C for 15 minutes, then grill the snails at 170°C for about 10 minutes. The melon snail grilled with chili salt is extremely fragrant, the meat is tender, and it is well-absorbed with the spicy-sour-sweet seasoning. It’s even more attractive when served with green chili salt.

1.12. Melon snail grilled with scallion oil

Ingredients:

• 2kg melon snail
• 5 garlic cloves, 3 shallots
• 10 scallion stalks, 5 lemongrass stalks
• 100g peanuts
• 100 ml cooking oil
• Salt, sugar, MSG, fish sauce, chili sauce

Instructions for making melon snail grilled with scallion oil:

• Soak the snails with a few chili slices for about 30 minutes to release sand, then wash the shells clean. Dice the scallions, and mince the garlic and shallots. Crush the lemongrass, roast the peanuts, and crush them.
• Place the lemongrass at the bottom of a pot and put the snails on top, then add 1 teaspoon of salt and enough water to cover half of the snails. Then, steam over high heat until the snails are cooked, remove them and separate the meat, discard the liver and sand, cut into bite-sized pieces if necessary, and put back into the shells.
• Next, heat the cooking oil and sauté the minced garlic and shallots until fragrant. Season with salt, sugar, MSG, fish sauce, and chili sauce. Finally, add the scallions, toss quickly, and turn off the heat.
• Arrange the snails on a grill rack and pour the scallion oil over the snail meat. When the snail is hot and the scallion oil is sizzling, sprinkle the crushed roasted peanuts on top and grill for a few more minutes to absorb the flavor.

1.13. Melon snail steamed with ginger and onion

Ingredients

• 400 g melon snail (fresh or pre-processed)
• ½ onion, 1 ginger root
• A little scallion and Chinese celery
• 1 mild chili
• Sugar, seasoning powder, cooking oil, sesame oil, white wine, MSG, ground pepper

Instructions for preparing melon snail steamed with ginger and onion as follows:

• Wash fresh snails and soak for 30 minutes in rice water to remove sand, then parboil and cut into bite-sized pieces. If using pre-processed snails, just wash them and drain.
• Cut the onion into wedges, the scallions and Chinese celery into sections, and the chili into long strips. Julienne or mince the ginger.
• Then, heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan, sauté the ginger until fragrant, then add 100 ml of water. Season with sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, pepper, sesame oil, and white wine; stir well. When the water boils, add the snail and onion and steam over medium heat so the snail absorbs the seasoning. Finally, add scallions, Chinese celery, and chili, toss gently, turn off the heat, and arrange on a plate.

>> Delicious dishes you should not miss:

• What delicious dishes can be made with octopus? Suggestions for easy home-cooked meals
• What delicious dishes can be made with lobster? A summary of 19 simple preparation methods
• What delicious dishes can be made with giant river prawn? Top 10+ must-try delicious dishes
• What delicious dishes can be made with crab? 15 attractive crab dishes you’ll love

2. How to take melon snail meat out of the shell

Melon snails usually live on coral reefs and have a layer of mucus on their shells. Therefore, before processing, they should be soaked in salt water or rice water with a few chili slices to remove impurities and slime. After cleaning, you can take the snail meat out in two common ways:

• Method 1: Blanch the snail briefly in boiling water and use a toothpick or sharp object to gently separate the meat from the shell. This method is both quick and hygienic, suitable for most types of snails.
• Method 2: Put the snails in a clean cloth bag and use a hammer to gently strike the shell. This should only be done 1-2 times to avoid crushing the meat. Then, wash the snail meat clean before processing.

3. Health benefits of eating melon snail

Melon snail is not only rich in nutrition but also brings many health benefits as follows:

• Supports cardiovascular health: With low cholesterol and rich lean protein, melon snail helps control blood fat, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
• Protects bones and joints: The calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium content helps maintain bone strength, preventing osteoporosis in adults and supporting height growth in children.
• Improves nervous function: Vitamin B12 and zinc in melon snail support nerve transmission, enhance memory, and maintain mental clarity, which is especially beneficial for the elderly.
• Strengthens resistance: Easily absorbed protein along with minerals like iron and zinc help stimulate the production of immune cells and support recovery after illness.

Through the suggestions for melon snail dishes above, we hope it has helped you answer the question “what delicious dishes can be made with melon snail” from the beginning of the article. Besides fresh seafood, if you are looking for premium whole dried squid for your parties, please visit our store. To explore more unique recipes, processing tips, and other interesting culinary articles, please visit Ola Squid’s Culinary Corner category!