Rock Ear Fungus, Ridge Gourd and Stir-Fried Shrimp

Why people make this dish

Nourilo’s younger sister brought back some beautiful mountain specialties from a trip to Wuyi Mountain — among them rock ear fungus (yan er), wild red mushrooms (hong gu), and wild-grown tea tree mushrooms. Rock ear fungus is a rare find in Hong Kong; it resembles cloud ear fungus but is smaller and has a wonderfully crisp, snappy texture when cooked. In traditional Chinese food therapy, it shares the blood-nourishing, lung-supporting properties of the wider black wood ear family, but is additionally associated with nourishing yin, clearing heat, and — crucially for cardiovascular wellness — reducing blood lipids, lowering cholesterol, and supporting vascular elasticity.

Paired with ridge gourd (also called angled loofah) and fresh shrimp, this stir-fry is a satisfying, flavour-forward dish that earns its place as a heart-health food-therapy recipe.