Liaoshen. Because Dalian belongs to Liaoning, Dalian sea cucumber is called Liaoshen. Sea cucumber is a typical high-protein and low-fat food with tender meat and rich nutrition. It has a delicious taste and elegant flavor. It is one of the "Eight Treasures of Seafood" with the same reputation as bird's nest, abalone and shark's fin. It often plays the role of "the finale" in the elegant hall and is regarded as one of the souls of Chinese food.

Historical origin: sea cucumbers include Stichopus japonicus, Poshen, Plum Blossom Ginseng, Square Stichopus japonicus, and Bald Ginseng, among which Stichopus japonicus is the treasure. Dalian sea cucumber is Stichopus japonicus. "Stichopus japonicus" is produced in Shandong Peninsula and Liaodong Peninsula of China. In Compendium of Materia Medica compiled by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty, it is recorded that "(sea cucumber) is produced in Liaodong Bay with good texture". "Clear barnyard grass banknotes" contains: "Sea cucumbers, especially those in Fengtian (present-day Liaoning Province), are black and prickly and named Liaoshen".