Step 1

Dried Bean Curd Sticks - Use a pair of scissors to cut the dried bean curd sticks into finger-length pieces. Soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes or until soft.

Step 2

Chinese Glass Noodles - Soak in cold water for at least 30 or until soft.

Step 3

Dried Wood Ear Mushrooms - Soak the mushrooms in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Then use a pair of scissors to trim off the hard stem (reference video).

Step 4

Lotus Root - Peel the skin with a peeler and cut the root into thin pieces. Then fill a bowl with cold water and place in 3 small dashes of vinegar. This vinegar will help eliminate the astringent taste found in the roots. Let the pieces soak for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Shiitake Mushrooms - Dice into thin pieces.

Step 6

Green Cabbage - Roughly chop into small squares .

Step 7

Bok Choy (Or Spinach) - Chop the Bok Choy into smaller pieces.

Step 8

Garlic and Ginger (For Stir-Fry Sauce) - Carefully cut 3 cloves of garlic into thin slices. And mince a small piece of ginger - measure out 1 teaspoon.

Step 9

Place some Vegetable Oil into a wok. Place on medium heat at first. Once its hot, add in the sliced garlic and minced ginger. Stir-fry it around in the oil until it gets fragrant (careful not to let it burn). Then immediately add in the thinly sliced pork (or beef) slices and shrimp. Stir-fry it around for 10-15 seconds.

Step 10

Raise the heat to a medium-high heat. Now add in all of the other vegetables (except for the spinach or bok choy - we'll add that in at the very end)! Then add-in the noodles at the very end as well.

Step 11

Now, add in the Hai Di Lao Mala Stir-Fry Sauce Packet. Start by using 1/2 the packet - or use the whole packet if you're familiar with the spice!

Step 12

Stir fry everything until the hard vegetables are cooked through.

Step 13

When it looks almost done, add in the bokchoy (or spinach) and give it 1 additional minute of stir-frying.

Step 14

Turn off the heat. Plate and garnish the dish with chopped cilantro (optional)

Step 15

Enjoy your beautiful plate of Mala Xiang Guo with a bowl of fresh rice (and a cold beer!)

Step 16

Bon Appetit Ya'll!