Home
» City specials
» Hangzhou
Bamboo shoots arrive for spring menus
Print Edition
IF Hangzhou natives are asked to pick a vegetable to epitomize the flavor of spring, most would likely select bamboo shoots.
Bamboo forests cover most areas surrounding the city and other places in Zhejiang Province, thus the city never lacks freshly dug bamboo shoots.
Although the shoots grow in all seasons, spring bamboo shoots are considered the best as they are crispy and juicy. In order to savor spring bamboo shoots year around, many locals dry them for future use.
Bamboo shoots contain vegetable protein, micro-nutrients and fiber. A moderate intake of bamboo shoots is considered a digestive aid that prevents constipation.
However, individuals with a stomach disease cannot eat too many bamboo shoots as it might overstimulate the tummy and worsen the disease. Swallowing bamboo shoots without chewing them properly may lead to a stomachache.
To avoid indigestion, picking tender bamboo shoots that are either yellow or white is recommended.
Bamboo shoots also contain insoluble calcium oxalate, which is harmful to those who suffer from gall or kidney stones.
Cooking bamboo shoots soon after purchasing or picking is best as the moisture in them evaporates quickly.
Hangzhou boasts several noted dishes with bamboo shoots. Shanghai Daily introduces three popular with locals.
This dish is a Hangzhou classic. In the famous documentary series, “A Bite of China,” it was named a signature Hangzhou dish.
It’s also easy to cook. Peel the bamboo shoot and cut into strips. Scald the bamboo strips to remove the acerbic flavor.
Add oil to the pan and at high heat stir fry the strips with soy sauce and sugar. Next simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid reduces.
Where to eat:
Hangzhou Restaurant
Address: 1-3/F, 205 Yan’an Rd
Tel: (0571) 8708-7123
This dish usually appears only during festivals or on special occasions because it requires a great deal of time to prepare.
The duck has to be an old shelduck, which has less fat and little body odor compared to other local ducks. The other two irreplaceable ingredients are bamboo shoots and ham.
Jinhua ham, a famous Zhejiang specialty made from the leg meat of a small pig that originated in Jinhua in the middle of Zhejiang Province, is considered best. The ham is used to flavor the broth.
The bamboo shoots are cut into two parts — the old root is used to absorb oil and grease in the soup, while the tender part becomes crunchy and goes well with the succulent duck meat.
Before stewing the duck with ham and bamboo shoots, it has to be scalded for five minutes to remove the blood froth. Next add the duck, ham, bamboo shoots and ginger into a pot with enough water. Simmer with rice wine for two to three hours.
The dish is served as an entrée at family feasts.
Where to eat:
Zhang Sheng Ji Restaurant
Address: 6/F, Tian Gong Yi Yuan Department Store, 91-93 Jiefang Rd
Tel: (0571) 8735-5188
This traditional Hangzhou dish is made of shiitake and winter bamboo shoots, which are stouter than spring bamboo shoots. Locals sometimes replace the winter bamboo shoots with spring ones since they taste similar.
Hangzhou locals prefer dried shiitake over fresh ones. They use water to hydrate the dried mushrooms before cooking, and then cut off the shiitake stem and dice each mushroom cap into four pieces.
The bamboo shoot root is usually discarded since they are hard to chew. Peel the remaining bamboo shoot and cut into cubes.
Remember to fry the bamboo shoot first as it takes longer to cook, and then add mushroom pieces to stir fry.
A layer of liquid is added to the shoots and mushrooms. That liquid varies according to personal flavor, ranging from chicken soup to pork broth. Add soy sauce, sugar and salt to taste.
Cook the mixture over medium heat for two minutes.
Where to eat:
Bao Shan Cun Restaurant
Address: 2/F, Baoshan Hotel, 102 Tiyuchang Rd
Tel: (0571) 8519-3777
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
