Shark's fin melon is a squash with many common names such as the Angel’s Hair, Chilacayote, Chiverre, fig-leaf gourd, Malabar gourd, black seed squash, Thai Marrow, Thin Vermicelli Pumpkin and cidra. The melon pulp will turn to strands resembling shark’s fins after being cooked. It has numerous health benefits, including helping with the cold and flu, maintaining liver health, helping with insomnia symptoms, improving the digestive system, lowering sore throat inflammation, and preventing bacterial infection. It also treats diabetes and reduces levels of blood glucose due to its high D-Chiro-Inositol content. It’s a great source of Vitamin A, fiber and calcium.

This melon is very rare in Singapore supermarkets, you have to try your luck in wet market which operates during morning hours before 11am. As for the dried oyster, you can find it in asian dried goods store. It's also very expensive, so you don't have to add if it's beyond your budget. Dried oyster gives extra unami to the soup.