Sichuan Mao Cai

[khiemtran]

So, you'd like to try some Mào Cài, another Sichuan specialty?




The character 冒 (Mào) can mean to emit or send out; or also to risk (as in risk your life). In this case, 菜 (Cài) means dish.

Risky or not, it's very popular...



And easy to do. First of all, you'll get two metal bowls. Use these to choose ingredients from the fridges. Vegetarian food (素菜 or Sù cài) goes in one, and non-vegetarian food (荤菜 or Hūn cài) goes in the other.



Why keep them separate? The sign above the fridges gives the reason. Vegetarian ingredients (素菜) are 12 yuan per catty (half a kilo). Meat dishes are 38 yuan per catty. Once you've filled your bowls, they will be weighed separately. (You can see here, I've got a lot of helpers. I was actually just walking past this restaurant when I got over by one of the people out front who asked if I'd like to try some local Sichuan food. That's his shoulder in black.)



After you've paid, the cooks plunge your ingredients into a fiery mix of broth and oil. This is the real reason mào cài gets its name: because the food is cooked from all sides by the hot liquid.



The finished product! Sort of like a one-shot hotpot. Instead of dipping food in to cook it and then retrieving it, all your food has gone in at one and you just need to take it out. Remembering that this is Sichuan, there is no need for a spoon; you take the ingredients out with your chopsticks and leave the fiery liquid behind.



Of course, by this time, my presence and attempts to speak Chinese have caused near endless mirth from the young staff. When I ask for help with a photo, they are happy to oblige...



And then take turns taking photos of me with their smart phones...



You too can be a celebrity if you come to Chengdu...



Checking to see if the picture turned out...



An entertaining meal for all concerned.

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm curious as to why the broth is never eaten. Too fiery?

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Basically, yes. You do consume a fair amount of it as it coats the food, but it's not like a soup that you would drink by itself. It's like the difference between dipping food in a sauce and just drinking the sauce. It's very flavourful, but a bit too much on its own.

[88greenthumb.livejournal.com]

Great experience-culinary as well as interaction with the "locals!"