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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.

🛒 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

👩‍🍳 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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

🍴 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.


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