The world is becoming more and more depressing, and life is just full of stress. Sometimes we feel so burned out that we want to escape and just leave everything behind. However, running away from life and all the stress that comes with it is not as easy as we wish it to be. But an escape doesn’t always mean physically leaving and going somewhere far. You can actually escape stress by just staying at home and doing nothing, or by doing something that you truly enjoy, for example, eating! Comfort foods are called comfort foods for a reason, aren’t they? There’s simply nothing that can beat the joy and comfort that food brings, especially after a long week of work or school activities.
This article is definitely for your inner foodie that is yearning to be fed!
Perhaps most of us have one or two foods that we usually eat whenever we feel stressed out, a.k.a. our comfort foods. But what if, whenever you feel tired of your life, you eat something you have never eaten before? Discovering and exploring different delicacies while relieving your stress—that sounds better, doesn’t it?
In case you have never heard of it, let us introduce to you Sichuan snacks as the perfect stress relievers!
Sichuan cuisine is originally from Sichuan Province, located in southwest China. One of the most distinctive features of Sichuan cuisine is its bold flavor, which will definitely give you a pleasant surprise. The famous Sichuan pepper is the main ingredient in this cuisine, which is known for its minty and slightly numbing flavor.
Here are some of the best Sichuan snacks that might become your new comfort food:
Liangfen is one of the most popular Sichuan snacks and is usually served cold. The name Liangfen actually means “cold noodles.” The noodle is generally thick and white, almost translucent. Typically, it is made from mung bean starch, but sometimes from pea or potato starch, too. The Liangfen noodles are mixed with sesame paste, soy sauce, and chili oil. It is seasoned with pieces of carrot, coriander, green onion, and garlic. This Sichuan snack may be cold, but it will definitely make you feel warm with its rich flavor and spiciness. You’ll be surprised with the fantastic combination of hot and cold in one dish.
Another amazing Sichuan snack is the Suan La Fen. It is also known as “hot and sour sweet potato noodles,” a very popular Sichuan street snack. Unlike the Liangfen that is served cold, Suan La Fen noodles are served in a warm stock of either pork or chicken bones, seasoned with tons of pre-fried garlic in chili oil, vinegar, sesame oil, light soy sauce, and the Chinese five spice powder. The main ingredient of this well-known Sichuan snack is the thick sweet potato noodles. They are known to be chewier than the usual flour-based noodles. The topping on these noodles is also very interesting. It can vary from red-braised beef to large intestines, which are typically combined with green onions. fried peanuts, and pickled mustard. No doubt, Suan La Fen is a must-try Sichuan snack!
La Tiao is another Sichuan snack that can easily be anyone’s favorite! This snack is not only famous in China but has also gained popularity internationally after being featured in a BBC documentary about Chinese New Year celebrations. Tofu skins fried in a mixture of water, soy sauce, fresh ginger, Sichuan pepper, chili powder, sugar, salt, myrcia, and Chinese fennel species are the main ingredients of this international sensation. It can be compared to potato chips, but is definitely much richer in taste and also quite spicy.
There are many other Sichuan snacks that can surely satisfy your taste buds. Each one of them is something you must try at least once in your life!