Hyacinth Bean / Flat Bean (Bian Dou)
北方料理の名脇役！お肉と蒸し焼きにする「平べったい豆」
Description
A type of flat-shaped bean (Hyacinth bean) loved nationwide, esp. in the North (Beijing etc.). Wider and firmer than JP green beans. Retains beautiful color when heated and absorbs meat umami well; a staple for stir-fries and braised noodle dishes.
Classification: Everyone, Ingredient, Vegetable, Hyacinth Bean, Flat Bean, Stir-fry, Men Mian, Northern Cuisine, Crunchy
Shops selling Hyacinth Bean / Flat Bean (Bian Dou)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The How to use section below is a general reference, not instructions from the listed shops.
How to use
Ingredients
- Lablab purpureus(Hyacinth Bean)
Instructions
- [Typical Uses]
- [Bian Dou Men Mian]: Representative Beijing home dish. Place raw noodles over fried pork and beans, steam-frying until the noodles absorb the broth.
- [Gan Bian Bian Dou]: Spicy stir-fry with minced pork.
- Soy-braised with pork belly.
Learn more Substitutes, pairings, tips
Key spices
Meatier than green beans; chewing releases strong bean sweetness and roasted notes
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Can be perfectly substituted with JP 'Morocco Beans' (Flat green beans)
Pairing
Raw Noodles (Steam-fry) / Pork / Soy Sauce
Trivia
In JP, 'Green Bean' implies long/slender, but on Northern Chinese tables, 'Dou' (Bean) often refers to these flat Bian Dou. Used as a precious winter protein source due to its shelf life.
Eating tips & etiquette
Like Long Beans, they are slightly toxic if raw; the basics in China is cooking until 'completely done and slightly soft'. Specifically in 'Men Mian', the bean's umami transfers to the noodles, making it supreme.
Allergen
None