Steamed Razor Clams with Garlic and Vermicelli

Soak the Rice Noodles

1. Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. I soaked my dry vermicelli noodles in hot water for 4 minutes. Rinse with cold water and transfer to a colander to drain well. Set aside. (Make sure not to overcook your rice noodles, otherwise, they can become mushy)

Prepare Razor Clams

1. Clean the Shells: Rinse them under cold water and scrub off any debris on the shells.
2. Remove the Meat: Use a paring knife to slide along the inside of the shells to loosen the clam meat. Carefully open the shell and separate the meat from the shells. Note: You’ll need to cut the muscles attached to the shells first BEFORE opening the shells. Don’t force it to open, otherwise, the shell will break. (Don’t throw away the shells)
3. Clean the Meat: Pulled out the dark part (stomach) of the meat and rinse to clean. You can also trim the siphon, and cut off any undesirable parts if you prefer. Rinse the meat THOROUGHLY to move the sand. Make sure they are free from grit.

Make Garlic Sauce

1. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet over medium heat.
2. Once hot, add minced garlic. Saute for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat, and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
3. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

Cook Razor Clams

1. Choose a large shallow serving plate that can fit into your pot. Arrange the shells of razor clams on the plate nicely. You probably won’t fit all the shells on the plate. That’s OK.
2. Pat dry your vermicelli noodles and spread the noodles evenly onto the shells. For some extra space that’s not big enough for shells, you can add noodles directly onto the plate. (See my photos in the post on how to do this.)
3. Place the razor clam meat on top of the vermicelli (I placed two razer clams on each shell.) Then spoon a small amount of garlic sauce on top.
4. Place the steamer basket to your pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Carefully place the plate of razor clams into the steamer. Cover with the fitted lid. Steam for 4-5 minutes.

Garnish and Serve

1. Once cooked, Immediately remove the razor clams from the steamer.
2. Sprinkle minced red bell pepper and chopped green onions on top.
3. In a small skillet over high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, remove from heat and drizzle over the dish. Serve and enjoy!