Vegetarian Bean-thread Soup

For centuries, Chinese vegetarians have cleverly used textures similar to meats or fish in their vegetarian dishes. Buddhists are especially talented in such culinary masquerades, working on the theory that one may have one’s cake and eat it too. That is, if the artifice is well and deliciously done.

Shark’s fin has always been prized in China but it is an expensive treat and, besides, it is of animal origin. So, this dish was created to please vegetarians who wish to swim with the