Cuisine: Manipur
Category: Lunch
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 12 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
🌿 Vegetarian
Stink beans (yongchak) stir-fried with hawai jaang (fermented soybean) — a pungent, complex preparation where two strongly flavoured Manipuri ingredients combine brilliantly.
Ingredients
- 200g yongchak (parkia speciosa / stink bean / petai — shelled; or substitute flat beans)
- 2 tbsp hawai jaang (Manipuri fermented soybean)
- 3 garlic cloves — thinly sliced
- 2 green chillies — finely chopped
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt to taste only if needed
Method
- Shell the yongchak if using fresh pods. If using frozen, thaw completely.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
- Add sliced garlic — fry 1 minute until golden.
- Add the yongchak. Add turmeric. Toss on medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the hawai jaang (fermented soybean). Toss well to combine with the yongchak.
- Cook stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the soybean integrates with the beans and the aroma deepens.
- Add finely chopped green chillies. Stir.
- Taste before adding salt — hawai jaang is very salty.
- Serve with steamed rice.