<p>淡菜 is only the name for <strong>dried</strong> mussels or <strong>dried</strong> sea mussels.</p>

<p><strong>汉语大词典</strong>'s entry for 淡菜 says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>贻贝的肉经烧煮曝洒而成的干制食品。味佳美, 以煮晒时不加盐, 故名。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So 淡 comes from the fact that 不加盐 (salt is not added).</p>

<p>菜 must be for the fact that it is a <em>dish</em> and not because it is a vegetable.</p>

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2017-08-13T12:08:39.897Z
2017-08-13T12:15:30.310Z
2017-08-13T12:15:30.310Z
Mou某
<p>The name 淡菜 would suggest a meaning like "bland vegetable" or something like that. Why are mussels called 淡菜?</p>

<vocabulary><etymology>
Why are mussels called 淡菜
# Why are mussels called 淡菜

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-13)

The name 淡菜 would suggest a meaning like "bland vegetable" or something like that. Why are mussels called 淡菜?

**Tags:** vocabulary, etymology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-13. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

淡菜 is only the name for **dried** mussels or **dried** sea mussels.

**汉语大词典**'s entry for 淡菜 says:

> 贻贝的肉经烧煮曝洒而成的干制食品。味佳美, 以煮晒时不加盐, 故名。

So 淡 comes from the fact that 不加盐 (salt is not added).

菜 must be for the fact that it is a *dish* and not because it is a vegetable.


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