stir-fried oil sticks with loofah

How to Make Stir-Fried Luffa with Fried Dough Sticks

Stir-fried luffa with fried dough sticks is a popular Chinese dish loved for its crispy-tender texture and savory flavor. Here’s a simple guide to making it at home.

Ingredients:

- 1 fresh luffa (about 300g), peeled and cut into thick strips

- 2 Chinese fried dough sticks (youtiao), snapped into 5cm segments

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp cooking oil

- 1 tsp soy sauce

- ½ tsp salt

- A pinch of sugar (optional)

- Optional: A few dried chili peppers for heat.

Steps:

1. Prep the ingredients: Peel the luffa (no need to remove the seeds if young) and cut it into thick, diagonal strips. Gently break the youtiao into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic.

2. Stir-fry the luffa: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant (10 seconds). Toss in the luffa strips and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.

3. Add youtiao and seasonings: Push the luffa to one side, add the youtiao pieces, and stir-fry for 1 minute until they absorb some oil. Mix everything together, then add soy sauce, salt, and sugar (if using). Stir-fry for another 30 seconds until well-coated.

Serving Tip: For extra crunch, add the youtiao in the last minute to avoid over-softening. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice and is ready in under 10 minutes!