Buddha's Delight Recipe - Chinese Vegetarian Stir-Fry

You can’t go wrong with a vegetarian Chinese stir-fry, and that’s just what Buddha’s Delight or lo han jai/ luo han zhai is! This authentic dish is a staple in Buddist and Chinese cuisines and makes a delicious, comforting meal that is known for being a healthy option thanks to the minimal use of seasonings and oil.It is also a popular dish to eat when celebrating the Lunar New Year. If you can’t wait to try our recipe, head over to our online Chinese supermarket to stock up on all the ingredients you’ll need for your cooking adventures.

What is in Buddha’s Delight?

Traditionally, this dish is eaten by Buddist monks, who are vegetarian, so it comes as no surprise that this stir-fry is full of loads of tasty vegetables! There are many variations of this recipe across the different regions of China, with the exact ingredients used often coming down to personal preference. Traditional Buddha’s Delight has a long list of ingredients, but when cooking at home, this can often be simplified somewhat and tailored to include your favourite veggies. Have a go at our simple Buddha’s Delight recipe below - don’t be afraid to customise it and add your own spin!

Ingredients for Buddha's Delight

• 10 dried shiitake mushrooms (soaked and sliced)
• 2 bundles of bean thread noodles
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 5cm fresh ginger (peeled and chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 spring onions (sliced)
• 1 carrot (peeled and sliced)
• 100g fresh mushrooms of your choice (sliced)
• 50g bamboo shoots (sliced)
• 1tbsp red fermented bean curd
• 1 pak choi (chopped)
• ½ small napa cabbage (shredded)
• 2tbsp soy sauce
• 200ml water

How to Make Buddha's Delight

1. Start by rehydrating your shiitake mushrooms in a medium bowl of water for between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
2. Put the noodles in a bowl of warm water - let them sit for 5 minutes until they have softened before draining and setting aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large wok over a medium high heat. Add the prepared ginger, garlic and spring onions and saute for a minute or so.
4. Add the carrot, followed by shiitake mushrooms, fresh mushrooms, bamboo shoots and bean curd. Saute for another minute.
5. Add the pak choi, cabbage and soy sauce.
6. Add the water to the wok and cover - steam over a medium heat for 5 minutes.
7. Finally, mix in your prepared noodles, using them to soak up any remaining liquid.

Will you be trying Buddha’s Delight at home? Remember, you can find a range of authentic ingredients and products right here at Oriental Mart!