ISO Chinese fried peanuts

[ziggystardust]

AKA huasheng ni or mi? When I was in China I really enjoyed the salty, spicy fried peanuts that were served as a side dish or snack. As far as I could tell they were fried with salt, garlic, star anise?, Sichuan pepper? and I'm not sure what else. Does anyone know where I can buy them from a shop in downtown Chinatown?

[ziggystardust]

No responses thus far, so I thought I'd give it another shot. Any info?

[Teep]

I'm afraid "huaseng mi" simply means peanuts. I've seen different flavoured ones in various groceries in Spadia/Dundas but did not notice any ones with the spices you mentioned.

[ziggystardust]

I thought peanuts in Mandarin were simply "huaseng"? If so, what does "mi" mean?

[Teep]

"Mi" itself means rice grains. In this usage it means "grains" as in "grains of peanuts". It is more a mainland China term to refer to the shelled product.

[ziggystardust]

Got it. thanks Teep. But you know what I'm talking about? Not simply salted, but with other spices added on. It amazed me when I was in China how such a simple thing as fried peanuts could be elevated to such a divine snack/side dish. I tried them at Mother's Dumplings and they were a total letdown.

[Teep]

Did you have it in Northern China (Beijing, Shanghai) or Southern? it may make a difference. I found these flavoured peanuts in the grocery store at basement level on Spadina, west side North of Dundas. The left is flavoured with 5 spice powder (star anise, cloves etc.), the one on the right with garlic. These are from Guangdong (Southern). Note that those in a package will never taste the same as the ones freshly prepared.

[ziggystardust]

I had them first in Xi'an, later in Taiwan and Guangdong. Do you happen to know the name of the grocery store Teep? And left/right; you mean shelves, aisles?

[Teep]

I believe the name is Oriental Harvest, at around 310 Spadina. As you go down the stairs, walk straight past the cashiers, it's immediately on your right. By left/right in my earlier post I was refering to the picture I included (click on it to enlarge.)

[ziggystardust]

I didn't see the picture the first time. Thanks

[tbonetak]

Pretty sure I've seen them on the menu at King's Noodle, but I have no idea if they're prepared how you've described. Perhaps you can get them as takeout?

[LTL]

They are indeed on the menu. I happen to have a take out menu at my desk so I took a peek: "Deep Fried Crunchy Peanuts - $2.95". No description of spices, etc though.