🇨🇳 China · Food
Sichuan Garlic Eggplant
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
🇨🇳 CNTender pieces of eggplant are stir-fried until they melt in the mouth, then tossed in a bold, savory, and aromatic garlic-heavy sauce that defines Sichuan comfort food.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Cut 300g eggplant into 5cm batons and soak in salted water for 10 minutes to prevent bitterness.
- 2
Pat the eggplant batons completely dry with a paper towel.
- 3
Heat 3 tbsp oil in a wok and stir-fry eggplant until golden brown and tender, about 6 minutes.
- 4
Remove the eggplant from the wok and set aside.
- 5
In the same wok, sauté minced garlic and chili paste for 30 seconds until extremely fragrant.
- 6
Pour in soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar, whisking until the sugar dissolves into a thick syrup.
- 7
Toss the cooked eggplant back into the wok and coat evenly in the sauce for 1 minute.
- 8
Serve immediately, garnishing with extra chopped scallions if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why soak the eggplant?+
Soaking in salted water draws out bitterness and prevents the eggplant from soaking up too much oil later.
Is it possible to bake the eggplant instead?+
Yes, you can brush the batons with oil and bake until soft, though stir-frying provides a better texture.
Can I make this less spicy?+
Yes, simply reduce or omit the chili paste; the garlic and vinegar sauce remains very flavorful.
Why use black vinegar?+
Black vinegar adds a unique, malty, and deep acidity that balances the garlic and soy sauce perfectly.
🇨🇳 CNMundo Match
Dishes across the world that share Sichuan Garlic Eggplant's core ingredients.
