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What is Stone Sprouts? Characteristics and Delicious Dishes from Stone Sprouts.

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6 August, 2024

Stone sprouts are not only featured in the folk tale of Trạng Quỳnh but are also a famous delicacy in the Sapa region of Vietnam. This unique vegetable is quite rare and can only be found in the mountainous regions of the Northwest, especially in Sapa, Lao Cai Province. So, what is stone sprout, and what makes it so special? How is it used in cuisine? Let’s find out in this article!

1 What is Stone Sprout?

Stone sprout, or Brassica rapa, is a type of mustard green and a rare delicacy unique to the northwestern mountain forests, especially in Sapa, Lao Cai Province.

This vegetable is considered a delicacy due to its limited growing season and specific climate requirements. Stone sprout only grows once a year in cold climates, such as the high mountains with frost and snowfall. It typically thrives from September to February annually.

Stone sprout is a type of mustard green unique to the northwestern mountains

2 Characteristics of Stone Sprout

At first glance, the stone sprout from Sapa resembles the familiar vegetable we often consume, but it has a much larger stem and numerous young sprouts growing around it, resembling bamboo shoots.

When fresh, stone sprout is crisp and crunchy, with minimal leaves, evoking the image of a stone sprouting new growth. It has a delicate sweet taste and a slightly crunchy texture. This vegetable is also packed with nutrients beneficial to human health.

Stone sprout has a sweet and slightly crunchy texture

3 Benefits of Stone Sprout

Good for Bone and Joint Health

The folk tale of Trạng Quỳnh attributes the healing properties of stone sprout to its ability to alleviate bone and joint pain. During the cold winter, the king suffered from joint pain and sought relief in traditional remedies, ultimately discovering the benefits of this vegetable.

Stone sprout is beneficial for bone and joint health

Boosts Overall Health

Stone sprout contains natural enzymes that stimulate the body to produce antibodies, enhancing its resilience and endurance. Additionally, it helps reduce bad cholesterol, prevent flu, and aid in hangover recovery.

Skin Care

Rich in vitamins and water, stone sprout helps maintain youthful skin, prevents aging, and keeps the skin moisturized, soft, and supple.

4 Delicious Dishes Made with Stone Sprout

Boiled Stone Sprout

The simplest way to enjoy the full flavor of stone sprout is to boil it. However, to retain its sweetness and crunch, there’s a specific technique to follow.

Simply boil a pot of water over high heat and blanch the cleaned sprout for about 30 seconds. This will ensure the sprout remains green and crunchy.

Boiled stone sprout

Boiled stone sprout goes well with a variety of dips, such as meat broth, fish sauce with boiled eggs, salted sesame peanuts, or shrimp paste, making for a satisfying meal.

Stir-fried Stone Sprout with Meat

Stir-frying stone sprout with meats like pork, beef, or water buffalo is a delicious option, as the sweetness of the vegetable infuses the meat with flavor, requiring minimal seasoning.

Cut the sprout into thin slices and stir-fry it with the meat until just cooked, which should take about a minute. The sprout will retain its crispness and freshness, adding a sweet and savory touch to the dish.

Stir-fried stone sprout with meat

Pickled Stone Sprout

Stone sprout has a thick stem similar to turnips, making it ideal for pickling. The pickled sprout has a sour and spicy flavor from the chili peppers and a strong garlic aroma. It’s a great side dish to prevent food boredom when served with rice or porridge.

To prepare this dish, sun-dry the sprout until it slightly wilts, then cut it into small pieces for faster pickling. Wash the sprout thoroughly and place it in a jar, adding a mixture of boiled and cooled water, salt, and sugar. Let it pickle for 2-3 days before consuming. You can also add chili peppers to enhance the flavor.

Pickled stone sprout

5 Tips for Cooking with Stone Sprout

When cooking with stone sprout, keep the following tips in mind to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your dishes:

When boiling or stir-frying stone sprout, aim for a slight crunch by not overcooking it, as this can make it soft and reduce its nutritional content.
Stir-fry over high heat and mix continuously to keep the sprout vibrant and green.
Using pork lard for stir-frying can add extra flavor to the dish.
Slice the sprout thinly before stir-frying to ensure even seasoning.

Slightly undercook stone sprout to retain its crunch

6 Distinguishing Sapa Stone Sprout from Chinese Stone Sprout

The stone sprout from Sapa resembles a type of flowering mustard green with multiple branches growing around it, giving it a tower-like appearance. It has a bright green color, and its branches are plump. Typically, a stone sprout from Sapa weighs around 1 kg and is priced between 45,000 and 75,000 VND per kg.

A stone sprout from Sapa typically weighs around 1 kg

In contrast, the Chinese stone sprout is larger and heavier, weighing up to 3 kg. It can be stored at room temperature for about four days, but if exposed to moisture, it will only last for two days. The Chinese variety is also cheaper, costing around 20,000 to 30,000 VND per kg.

Stone sprout, a rare delicacy from the northwestern mountains of Vietnam, has gained popularity among locals and tourists alike. This article has provided insights into the unique characteristics, health benefits, and culinary uses of this vegetable, along with tips for preparing and enjoying it.

Frequently asked questions

Stone sprouts, also known as ‘ngoi’ or ‘cai ngoi’, are edible sprouts that grow from the roots of a type of stone tree (dioscorea batatas) commonly found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam and Thailand.

These sprouts have a unique and delicate flavor, with a mild sweetness and a crunchy texture. They are thin, white, and resemble noodles, growing in clusters from the roots of the stone tree.

Yes, stone sprouts are highly nutritious. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins B and C, and various minerals including iron, calcium, and potassium. They are also low in calories and fat, making them a healthy addition to any meal.

Stone sprouts are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They can be stir-fried, added to soups and stews, or simply blanched and served as a side dish. They are often paired with meats and seafood, and are a popular ingredient in salads and spring rolls as well.

One of the most well-known dishes featuring stone sprouts is ‘bun ngoi’, a Vietnamese noodle soup. Stone sprouts are also commonly used in stir-fries, such as ‘pad kaprow ngoi’ (a Thai dish) and ‘mien xao ngoi’ (a Vietnamese dish). They can also be pickled or fermented, adding a tangy flavor to various dishes.

You can typically find fresh stone sprouts in local markets or specialty grocery stores in Southeast Asian countries. They are usually sold in bundles and can be kept fresh for a few days in the refrigerator. Dried stone sprouts are also available and can be purchased online. While they are typically available year-round, their peak season is generally from late autumn to early spring.