Are you a fan of Chinese cuisine? Have you ever come across the term “Yu Shiang” while browsing through a menu at a Chinese restaurant?
If you’re curious about what this seasoning mixture is all about, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll explore the origins and ingredients of Yu Shiang, and specifically focus on one of its most popular dishes – Yu Shiang Shrimp.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors of this famous Chinese seasoning.
What Is Yu Shiang Shrimp?
Yu Shiang Shrimp is a popular Chinese dish that features fresh shrimp sautéed with julienne cut red and green peppers, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and black fungus in a spicy ginger and garlic sauce. The dish is known for its unique flavor profile that combines spicy, tangy, and sweet notes.
The term “Yu Shiang” literally translates to “fish fragrance” in Chinese, but don’t be fooled – this seasoning mixture contains no seafood and is typically not added to seafood dishes. Instead, it is a famous seasoning mixture in Chinese cuisine that originated in Sichuan and has since spread to other regional Chinese cuisines.
The basic mixture of Yu Shiang includes sugar, vinegar, doubanjiang (a spicy bean paste), soy sauce, and pickled chili peppers. These ingredients are combined to create a flavorful sauce that is used to cook meat or vegetables.
What Is Yu Shiang?
Yu Shiang is a seasoning mixture that originated in Sichuan, China and has since spread to other regional Chinese cuisines. The term “Yu Shiang” literally translates to “fish fragrance” in Chinese, but it is not typically added to seafood dishes. Instead, it is a famous seasoning mixture used to cook meat or vegetables.
The basic mixture of Yu Shiang includes sugar, vinegar, doubanjiang (a spicy bean paste), soy sauce, and pickled chili peppers. These ingredients are combined to create a flavorful sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes.
One of the most popular dishes that uses Yu Shiang sauce is Yu Shiang Shrimp. This dish features fresh shrimp sautéed with julienne cut red and green peppers, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and black fungus in a spicy ginger and garlic sauce. The dish is known for its unique flavor profile that combines spicy, tangy, and sweet notes.
Yu Shiang sauce can also be used over pork and other animal proteins, as well as vegetable-centric dishes such as eggplant. It is a versatile seasoning mixture that can add depth and complexity to any dish.
The History Of Yu Shiang Seasoning
The history of Yu Shiang seasoning can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago in Sichuan, China. Legend has it that a local Sichuan woman cooked a dish for her husband using the leftover seasoning from a fish dish. To her surprise, her husband found the dish to be delicious and asked her how she made it. This dish became known as Yu-Shiang Shredded Pork, which is made with pork as the main ingredient but tastes like fish-flavored.
The seasoning used in this dish is a blend of shallots, ginger, garlic, yellow wine, vinegar, and soy sauce – ingredients that were traditionally used by a business family who loved eating fish and were good at seasoning. The hostess of the family added the remaining seasoning from the fish dish into a pork dish to avoid wasting it. The result was so delicious that the dish became popular among Sichuan locals.
Over time, this seasoning blend became known as Yu Shiang seasoning and was used to cook other dishes such as sautéed eggplant with fish flavor. The seasoning contains salty, sweet, sour, hot, and fresh flavors that make the food more delicious. Today, Yu Shiang seasoning is widely used in Chinese cuisine and has spread to other regional Chinese cuisines.
The Ingredients Of Yu Shiang Seasoning
Yu Shiang seasoning is a unique blend of natural ingredients that are commonly used in Sichuan cuisine. The main ingredients of Yu Shiang seasoning include:
1. Pickled Chili Peppers: These peppers are a staple in Sichuan cuisine and are used to add a spicy kick to the seasoning mixture. They are pickled with fish in the jar, which is why the seasoning is named “fish fragrance” in Chinese.
2. Rice Wine: Rice wine is a traditional ingredient in Chinese cooking and is used to add flavor and depth to the seasoning mixture.
3. Vinegar: Vinegar is a key ingredient in Yu Shiang seasoning and is used to balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
4. Garlic: Garlic is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine and is used to add flavor and aroma to the seasoning mixture.
5. Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is another staple ingredient in Chinese cooking and is used to add saltiness and umami flavor to the seasoning mixture.
6. Sugar: Sugar is used to balance out the spiciness of the chili peppers and add sweetness to the seasoning mixture.
7. Other Spices: Depending on the recipe, other spices such as ginger, scallions, and black fungus may be added to Yu Shiang seasoning to enhance its flavor profile.
Yu Shiang Shrimp: A Popular Dish
One of the most popular dishes that features the Yu Shiang seasoning is Yu Shiang Shrimp. This dish is a favorite among seafood lovers and is often found on the menu in Chinese restaurants around the world.
To prepare Yu Shiang Shrimp, fresh shrimp are first cleaned and deveined before being sautéed in a hot wok with julienne cut red and green peppers, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and black fungus. The Yu Shiang sauce is then added to the wok and cooked until it thickens and coats the shrimp and vegetables.
The resulting dish is a beautiful combination of textures and flavors. The shrimp are tender and juicy, while the vegetables add a satisfying crunch. The sauce is the star of the show, with its spicy, tangy, and sweet notes that perfectly complement the seafood and vegetables.
Yu Shiang Shrimp is a perfect dish for those who love spicy food but also enjoy a touch of sweetness in their meals. It is also a great option for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to fried shrimp dishes, as it is typically stir-fried in a small amount of oil.
How To Make Yu Shiang Shrimp At Home
If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine and love shrimp, then you’ll definitely want to try making Yu Shiang Shrimp at home. Here’s how:
Ingredients:
– 1 pound of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 red bell pepper, julienned
– 1 green bell pepper, julienned
– 1 can of water chestnuts, drained and sliced
– 1 can of bamboo shoots, drained and sliced
– 1/2 cup of black fungus, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes and sliced
– 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
For the marinade:
– 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon of rice wine or dry sherry
– 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
For the sauce:
– 2 tablespoons of sugar
– 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
– 2 tablespoons of doubanjiang (spicy bean paste)
– 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons of pickled chili peppers
Instructions:
1. Begin by marinating the shrimp. In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice wine or dry sherry, and cornstarch. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, rice vinegar, doubanjiang, soy sauce, and pickled chili peppers to create the Yu Shiang sauce.
3. Heat up a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the red and green bell peppers to the pan and stir-fry for about a minute until they start to soften.
6. Add the water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and black fungus to the pan and stir-fry for another minute.
7. Add the shrimp to the pan and stir-fry for about two minutes until they turn pink.
8. Pour in the Yu Shiang sauce and stir-fry for another minute until everything is well coated.
9. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Yu Shiang Shrimp is a delicious way to enjoy fresh shrimp with a spicy kick. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can make this popular Chinese dish at home in no time!
Variations Of Yu Shiang Shrimp
While the traditional Yu Shiang Shrimp dish includes shrimp, peppers, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and black fungus, there are many variations of this popular Chinese dish. Here are some of the most common variations:
1. Shrimp and Mushroom: This variation of Yu Shiang Shrimp features fresh shrimp and sliced mushrooms sautéed in the signature spicy ginger and garlic sauce. The combination of tender shrimp and earthy mushrooms creates a delicious and flavorful dish.
2. Shrimp and Snow Peas: For a lighter and fresher take on Yu Shiang Shrimp, try adding snow peas to the dish. The sweet crunch of the snow peas pairs perfectly with the tangy and spicy sauce.
3. Shrimp and Broccoli: Another healthy variation of Yu Shiang Shrimp is to add broccoli to the dish. The broccoli adds a crunchy texture and a slightly bitter flavor that balances out the sweetness of the sauce.
4. Shrimp and Asparagus: For a more elegant version of Yu Shiang Shrimp, try adding asparagus to the dish. The tender asparagus spears add a touch of sophistication to the classic Chinese dish.
5. Shrimp and Tofu: For a vegetarian version of Yu Shiang Shrimp, substitute tofu for the shrimp. The soft texture of the tofu absorbs the flavors of the sauce, making it a delicious alternative for those who don’t eat seafood.
No matter which variation you choose, Yu Shiang Shrimp is a delicious and flavorful Chinese dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.