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How to Make Fried Mantou

Estimated Cooking Difficulty: ★★★

Essential Ingredients and Tools

  • Mantou (slightly stale from the previous day is better)
  • Salt
  • Oil
  • Cumin powder
  • Five-spice powder
  • Scallions
  • Eggs (optional)

Measurements

  • Mantou: 2 pieces (slightly stale from the previous day is better)
  • Salt: 3g
  • Oil: 20ml (peanut oil or sesame oil is preferred)
  • Cumin powder: 3g
  • Chili powder: 3g
  • Five-spice powder: 3g
  • Scallions: 2 stalks
  • Eggs (optional, 2 pieces)

Using the above measurements, calculate the ratio of raw materials to be used.

Instructions

  • Cut the mantou into small cubes or slices.
  • If using eggs, crack them into a bowl and beat them well (you can add 1g of salt and 1g of five-spice powder, or skip this step and add them during the stir-frying process).
  • Pour the beaten eggs over the mantou pieces and mix well; avoid using too much egg.
  • Heat a large wok over high heat and pour in the cooking oil (if using a stainless steel pan and worried about damaging it, you can pour the oil in first and heat it until hot).
  • Add the mantou cubes to the wok and stir-fry evenly.
  • Reduce the heat and continue stir-frying until the mantou cubes turn golden brown.
  • Add salt, pepper, and five-spice powder.
  • Finally, add the chopped scallions and stir-fry for a few more moments.
  • Turn off the heat and serve.

Additional Tips

  • Pay attention to controlling the heat during stir-frying to prevent burning.
  • If the heat is too high, reduce it. You can add a little oil along the side of the wok to lubricate it, or sprinkle a little water. Be careful not to pour it all in one spot; spread it out evenly.
  • Seasonings can be adjusted according to personal preference by adding other spices (such as Nande seasoning).
  • If you prefer a crispy texture, turn the heat to the lowest setting and stir-fry for a longer time. After turning off the heat, let it sit in the hot wok for a moment before serving for extra crispiness and aroma.
  • Other side ingredients such as minced garlic or garlic sprouts can be added according to your taste. They can be fried separately until fragrant before mixing them in.

If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improvement while following this guide, please submit an Issue or Pull request.