Hot and Sour Potato Shreds (Suan La Tudou Si)
Local name: 酸辣土豆丝
In short: Crisp-tender potato matchsticks stir-fried with dried chilies, Sichuan pepper, garlic and a sharp splash of Chinese black vinegar. It takes about 26 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 6 min
- Total
- 26 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 175 kcal
Suan la tudou si is a staple of home kitchens and neighborhood restaurants across China, and a dish that proves a potato can be crunchy. The potatoes are cut into fine matchsticks and rinsed to remove surface starch, then flash-fried with chilies and finished with a strong splash of vinegar. The goal is potato that is cooked but still crisp, with a bright, sour kick. Cutting evenly is the only real challenge.
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into matchsticks about 3 mm (1/8 in) thick. Put them in a bowl of cold water and swish them. Drain and rinse 2 or 3 times until the water runs mostly clear, then soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes well and pat them dry with a towel. Dry potatoes stir-fry rather than steam.
- Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. Add the chilies and Sichuan peppercorns for 15 seconds until fragrant, then add the garlic for 10 seconds.
- Add the potatoes and stir-fry over high heat for 3 minutes, tossing constantly.
- Pour the vinegar around the edge of the wok, then add the soy sauce, salt and sugar. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but still have a slight crunch.
- Add the scallions, toss for 10 seconds and serve hot.
Tips
- A julienne peeler or a mandoline with a julienne blade makes the matchsticks quickly and evenly. Uneven pieces cook unevenly.
- Rinsing washes off the starch. If you skip it, the potatoes clump together and turn gluey instead of staying separate and crisp.
Questions and answers
Why do my potato shreds turn mushy?
Usually they were cut too thick, not rinsed, or cooked too long. Cut them very thin, rinse off the starch and cook over high heat for no more than 5 minutes.
Can I make suan la tudou si without Chinese black vinegar?
Yes. Use rice vinegar, or a mix of rice vinegar with a splash of balsamic. The flavor will be slightly lighter.
How spicy is it?
The heat is mild to medium. The dried chilies mostly flavor the oil, and you can leave them whole and skip eating them.
How long does it take to make Hot and Sour Potato Shreds (Suan La Tudou Si)?
About 26 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 6 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hot and Sour Potato Shreds (Suan La Tudou Si)?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 24 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
