China’s little complexion helper

It might sound like something out of “Fear Factor,” but the gelatinous Cantonese cooking ingredient known as snow frog fat (a.k.a. snow crystal, a.k.a. hasma) actually has little taste. Extracted from the snow frog common in China, it is believed to improve the complexion, and is often used in a dessert soup made with papaya or coconut. The version served at Monterey Park’s New Concept has papaya in a sweet broth cooked with rock sugar.

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New Concept, 700 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 282-6800. Packaged snow frog jelly is available at various 99 Ranch Market locations, (800) 600-8292.