Hoi Chak Teen (Feet-pulling Shells)

Hoi chak teen or wing shell is in the Strombus Canxarium family. It looks like a conch but is smaller and brown in color. Its special characteristic is its dark brown walking legs which are referred to as "feet" or "teen" (in informal Thai). It is found in the sea in Krabi and nearby provinces.
To prepare the dish, the wing shell is soaked in salty water for about half an hour. A few crushed chilies are added to the water to make it spicy. The wing shell then begins to move, pushing its feet out and expelling the mud from inside. It is rinsed several times and then put in to a pot of cold water. The pot is then put on the stove and when the water gets warm, the wing shell pushes its feet out. As soon as it is cooked, it is ready to be served.
To eat the wing shell, you pull the feet and the mollusk will come out. It is eaten with a dip made of garlic, chilies, sugar, lime juice and fish sauce.
Hoi chak teen is a popular savory snack dish. The shells are also made into decorative items for the home or sold as souvenirs.