frying jelly

How to Make Stir-Fried Liangfen: A Complete Guide

Stir-fried liangfen, a beloved Chinese street food, is celebrated for its chewy texture and savory-spicy flavor. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate this dish at home.

Ingredients:

- 300g liangfen (jelly-like starch noodles, often sold in blocks)

- 2 tbsp cooking oil

- 3 cloves garlic (minced)

- 1 tbsp ginger (grated)

- 1 green onion (chopped)

- 1 tbsp chili bean paste (doubanjiang) or chili sauce

- 1 tbsp light soy sauce

- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color)

- 1 tsp sugar

- Salt to taste

- Optional: Wood ear mushrooms, bell peppers, or pork for extra flavor.

Steps:

1. Prepare the liangfen: Rinse the block under cold water, then cut into 1cm cubes. If using dry liangfen, soak until soft before boiling until tender, then cool and cube.

2. Stir-fry aromatics: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add chili bean paste and cook for 30 seconds until red oil surfaces.

3. Cook the main dish: Add liangfen cubes and stir-fry gently to avoid breaking them. Mix in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and salt. If using add-ins like vegetables or meat, stir them in now.

4. Finish and serve: Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve hot.

For a richer taste, drizzle with a little vinegar or sesame oil before serving. Enjoy this chewy, spicy-sweet dish as a snack or side!