Chinese Stir-Fried Romaine Lettuce with Fermented Black Beans and Fish (Dou Chi Yu You Mai Cai)

🥬 Chinese Romaine Lettuce with Fermented Black Beans and Fish Sauce (Dou Chi Yu You Mai Cai, )

This is a simple yet flavorful Chinese homestyle dish, where crisp romaine lettuce (油麦菜, You Mai Cai) is quickly stir-fried with the bold umami flavors of fermented black beans (Dou Chi) and fish sauce. The result is a fragrant, savory, and slightly smoky dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

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🛒 Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce (You Mai Cai): 300 g (about 10 oz), washed and cut into 5 cm (2-inch) sections

• Fermented black beans (Dou Chi): 1 tbsp, rinsed and lightly crushed

• Fish sauce: 1 tbsp

• Garlic: 3 cloves, sliced

• Red chili (optional): 1, sliced for heat and color

• Cooking oil: 2 tbsp

• Salt: a small pinch (taste before adding, since fish sauce and Dou Chi are salty)

• A splash of water or stock: 2–3 tbsp

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Ingredients

1. Wash and drain the romaine lettuce thoroughly, then cut into large bite-sized pieces.

2. Rinse the fermented black beans under water to reduce excess saltiness, then gently crush them with the back of a spoon to release aroma.

3. Slice garlic and chili (if using).

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Step 2. Heat the Wok

1. Heat a wok or large pan over high heat.

2. Add cooking oil, then toss in garlic and chili. Stir-fry quickly until fragrant.

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Step 3. Add Fermented Black Beans

1. Add the Dou Chi (fermented black beans) to the wok.

2. Stir-fry for 20–30 seconds until the beans release their aroma.

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Step 4. Stir-Fry the Lettuce

1. Add the romaine lettuce into the wok.

2. Stir-fry quickly on high heat.

3. Add fish sauce and a splash of water or stock to help the lettuce cook evenly.

4. Toss until the lettuce wilts slightly but still remains crisp and green (about 1–2 minutes).

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Step 5. Adjust Seasoning & Serve

1. Taste the dish. Add a tiny pinch of salt only if needed, as Dou Chi and fish sauce are already salty.

2. Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy hot.

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🍴 Serving Tips

• Best served immediately with steamed rice.

• Can be paired with other light stir-fries or a meat dish for a balanced meal.

• For extra flavor, drizzle a touch of sesame oil before serving.