Manila Clam Stir-fry
Manila Clam Stir-fry is a popular seafood dish featuring small, tender clams quickly cooked in a hot wok with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and often a splash of rice wine or soy sauce. It is a classic preparation in Chinese and other East Asian cuisines, prized for its savory, umami-rich flavor and the natural brininess of the clams. The dish is often finished with fresh herbs like scallions or cilantro for a bright, fresh note.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a high-protein, low-carb, and low-fat option, making it a lean source of nutrition. It is rich in essential minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium, and provides a good amount of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12. A typical serving of about 1 cup of stir-fried clams (without added rice) contains roughly 150-200 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 130 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 5 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Iron | 15 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 40 mcg |
| Selenium | 35 mcg |
| Zinc | 2 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Copper | 0.5 mg |
| Manganese | 3 mg |
| Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) | 200 mg |
Per 1 cup (180 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, stir-frying clams is a technique that highlights the Chinese culinary principle of 'wok hei'—the 'breath of the wok'—which imparts a distinctive, smoky sear that locks in the clams' natural juices. Nutritionally, Manila clams are a sustainable seafood choice and are one of the most efficient dietary sources of vitamin B12, which is crucial for nerve function and red blood cell formation.
