A CLOSER LOOK
How to recognize it
Long, narrow, tough leaf strips. Dried appearance alone cannot confirm the plant’s identity; malian is an iris, not the leafy vegetable malantou.
In the kitchen
The leaves are softened in hot water and tied around pork. The ties are removed before slicing and serving; they are not eaten as a vegetable.
This entry covers the dried binding leaves, not flowers, roots or seeds. Use correctly identified material intended for culinary use; do not substitute garden plants or identify wild plants from an illustration.
Ask about this ingredient
这道菜里有马莲草（烹调用捆扎叶）吗？
Does this dish contain Malian leaves for cooking ties?
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.
