A CLOSER LOOK
How to recognize it
A hard, tart quince-type culinary fruit; the name here does not identify one botanical species or tropical papaya.
In the kitchen
Fresh slices or dried pieces provide sourness in Yunnan soups and stews, including suan pa cai.
Fresh and dried forms differ in strength and texture. This entry does not equate all fruits called mugua or guarantee a fixed species.
Ask about this ingredient
这道菜里有酸木瓜吗？
Does this dish contain Yunnan sour mugua?
A few dishes to explore
These examples use this ingredient in typical or optional preparations. Open the dish to see the distinction; a restaurant’s recipe can differ.
