Spicy & Flavorful Shrimp Mala Xiang Guo at Home
Irresistibly Numbing and Spicy Shrimp Mala Xiang Guo Recipe
In today’s world, where culinary diversity is richer than ever, we find ourselves enjoying a wider variety of homemade meals. I first encountered Mala Xiang Guo, a dish with a unique spicy and numbing sensation, at a Chinese specialty restaurant in Canada. This popular dish in Korea today offers a tingling spiciness that numbs the mouth, coupled with a deep, savory umami flavor. It’s a stir-fry enjoyed by many, incorporating a variety of vegetables and seafood. Having a jar of Mala paste on hand is incredibly versatile, perfect for making Mala Tang or Mala Xiang Guo. Today, I’m going to make a spicy version with some vegetables and prepared shrimp. To maximize the heat, I’ll even add dried chilies and jalapeños for a stress-relieving, ultimate spicy experience. Let’s make this Shrimp Mala Xiang Guo recipe together!
Main Ingredients- 200g prepared shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 zucchini
- 1/2 onion
- 30g dried chilies (about half a handful)
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp mala paste
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
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Step 2
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Slice the onion about 0.7cm thick. Remove the stem from the jalapeño, cut it in half lengthwise, and then slice it thinly on an angle, about 0.7cm thick. For the zucchini (or regular Korean squash), cut it in half lengthwise and then diagonally into slices about 1cm thick. Slicing them this way helps maintain a crisp texture after stir-frying, making it more delicious.
Step 3
Mala Xiang Guo is best cooked quickly over high heat to preserve the crispness of the vegetables and the plump texture of the shrimp, as well as to enhance their natural flavors. I’m using pre-prepared shrimp, so I simply thawed them and drained them thoroughly in a colander. If you’re using frozen shrimp directly, a quick blanch in boiling water before stir-frying is recommended to prevent excess moisture from releasing during cooking.
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Preheat your wok or large skillet over high heat for about 3 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to medium and add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add the dried chilies and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant and the spicy aroma is released.
Step 5
Next, add 2 generous tablespoons of mala paste. Stir-fry over medium heat for about 3 minutes, allowing the distinct, deep, and spicy aroma of the mala paste to fully develop. Be sure to turn on your kitchen fan or open a window during this step, as the intense aroma can cause coughing.
Step 6
Once the mala paste is fragrant and well-cooked, turn the heat back up to high. Now, add the prepared shrimp and stir-fry quickly over high heat until the shrimp turn a lovely pinkish-orange color.
Step 7
When the shrimp are partially cooked, add all the prepared vegetables (onion, zucchini, jalapeño) to the wok.
Step 8
It’s crucial to maintain high heat throughout this stir-frying process! Cook for only about 2 minutes, allowing the vegetables to remain crisp. Immediately turn off the heat. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and toss gently to add a fragrant finish. Transfer the cooked Mala Xiang Guo to a serving plate and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds. Your ultimate spicy Shrimp Mala Xiang Guo is ready! Isn’t it surprisingly simple?
Step 9
Mala Xiang Guo is a captivating dish, delivering a hot, tingling spice that leaves your mouth delightfully numb. I enjoy it as a special treat quite often. However, ordering it at restaurants can often be quite expensive. Making it at home with plenty of your favorite ingredients is a fantastic way to enjoy it, serving perfectly as a main dish or a side dish with rice. The chewy texture and rich umami of the shrimp pair wonderfully with the spicy kick of the mala.
Step 10
For those of us who love spicy food, the numbing yet zesty spice of mala offers a unique and delicious experience. Instead of thinking of Mala Xiang Guo as just a restaurant dish, enjoy it more abundantly and affordably at home! Feel free to add plenty of shrimp, other seafood, or your favorite vegetables to make it even more satisfying. Enjoy your delicious meal today! 🙂
