Hot and Sour Shredded Potato is one of the most classic home-style dishes in China. The potato shreds are crisp and refreshing, paired with dried chilies and vinegar for a tangy, spicy kick. It’s simple to make, but there are a few tricks to getting that perfect crunch.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 2 medium potatoes (cut into thin shreds)
· 1 green bell pepper (shredded, for color)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 3-4 dried red chilies (cut into segments)
· A small pinch of Sichuan peppercorns
· 3-4 cloves minced garlic
· 1 stalk chopped scallion
🌴 Seasonings:
· 2 tbsp Chinkiang vinegar (about 20ml, the soul of the dish)
· 1 tbsp light soy sauce (about 10ml)
· A pinch of sugar (to enhance flavor)
· Salt, to taste
· Cooking oil, as needed
🌴 Instructions:
- Prepare the Potato
Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin shreds. Soak in cold water for 5 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain well. ⚠️ Note: Make sure to wash off the starch, or they will stick together during stir-frying. I’ve tried it without soaking, and it turned into mashed potatoes. - Sauté the Aromatics
Heat oil in a pan, add the dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. Add the minced garlic and continue to stir-fry. ⚠️ Note: Never use high heat, as the chilies and peppercorns burn easily and turn bitter. - Stir-fry over High Heat
Turn to high heat, add the drained potato shreds, and stir-fry quickly for 1-2 minutes. Add the light soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir-fry over high heat until combined. Finally, add the green pepper shreds, stir-fry for 30 seconds, sprinkle with scallion, and serve. ⚠️ Note: Stir-fry over high heat the entire time to keep the potatoes crisp. I’ve tried low heat, and they turned mushy.
💡 Tips:
The key to Hot and Sour Shredded Potato is “crispy potato shreds, tangy and spicy flavor.” Soak the potato shreds to remove starch and prevent sticking. Stir-fry over high heat for the best crunch. Add the vinegar at the end for a stronger sour taste. Add the green pepper last to keep it crisp.
If you enjoy this tangy and crispy flavor, you should also try my Tiger Skin Peppers. For more classic home-style dishes, check out my Home-style category.
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