Sea cucumber can be eaten raw, fried, and pickled, but it's most often added to dishes dried where it will then rehydrate and take on its signature, slimy texture.

Sea cucumber is bland but has the ability to soak up the flavors of foods and seasonings it is cooked with. This is why it is often used in soups, stir-fries, and certain braised dishes; it is also combined with other seafood, meats, and spices, as well as winter melon, cabbage, and mushrooms.