Chinese Long Beans (also known as “Chinese Green Beans”, “Yard-Long Beans”, “Chopstick Beans” “Snake Bean” or “Pea Bean”) are grown in subtropical/tropical climates and most widely grown in warmer parts of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Southern China.  This bean is a staple vegetable in Asian cuisine.  The crisp, tender pods are eaten both fresh and cooked.  They are at their best when young and slender.  They are sometimes cut into short sections for cooking uses.  As a West Indian dish, they are often stir-fried with potatoes and shrimp.  In Odisha, India, they are used to make a variety of dishes, especially a sour dish (judunga besara) cooking along with mustard sauce and lime.  They are also used in Chinese cuisine and Kerala cuisine. 

In Malaysian cuisine, they are often stir-fried with chilli and shrimp paste or used in cooked salads (kerabu).  Another popular option is to chop them into short sections and fry them in an omelette.  In the Philippines, they are widely eaten stir-fried with soy sauce, garlic, and hot pepper and in an all-vegetable dish called utan or are stewed in bagoong-based dishes such as pinakbet and dinengdeng.

Chinese Long Beans are crunchy, chewy and hearty. The simplicity of this recipe – combining stir frying and steaming in just a couple of steps. These Chinese beans can withstand intense spices and chilies. Quickly stir – fry these beans as a “veggie” dish or add shrimp, pork, beef or chicken in a chili and black bean sauce.  Cook these beans up quickly at home for a perfect healthy side or a one dish weeknight meal in only 10 minutes!  I enjoy cooking this flavorful stir-fry in a spicy sauce that can be poured over quinoa (healthy alternative to steam white rice).

WHAT ARE CHINESE LONG BEANS?

The asparagus bean is a legume cultivated for its edible green pods containing immature seeds, like the green bean.

Chinese Long Beans come in long bundles – typically they are 12” – 30” long, hence the nickname, “Yard Long Beans.” The best tasting Chinese Long Beans are young, 12” – 16” long.  Purchase beans that have no black spots, flexible but not limp and do not look dry and thick.

Chinese Long Beans taste like the European-American style of green beans with a sharper flavor and a crunchier texture than American snap beans.  These beans are incredibly healthy and available in most supermarkets, farmers’ markets and Asian markets.  You can add heat with spicy chilies or keep it mild with a plain stir-fry marinade sauce or black bean sauce – both ways stir fried are delicious.

Have all your ingredients ready to go before you start stir – frying as cooking moves fast!