"Is this Yacai?" - accompanied by a picture of something that is decidedly not Sichuanese Yacai - is probably one of the most frequently asked questions we get on this channel. It's an ingredient that's largely around, but strangely unavailable in pockets (some Cantonese-focused Chinese supermarkets seem to not carry the ingredient).

So we decided to try eight different Chinese preserved vegetables, put them to the test to see if any of them stacked up as a possible substitute for Yacai.

0:00 - What is Yacai?
3:03 - Chinese Pickles Taste Test
9:46 - Conclusion: The Next Best Thing

YACAI 芽菜
English Names: Dried Vegetable, Fermented Mustard, Preserved Mustard Stems
Made from: Mustard Greens

https://themalamarket.com/products/yibin-suimiyacai-preserved-mustard-stem

ZHACAI 榨菜
English Names: Sichuan Preserved Vegetable, Preserved Mustard
Made From: B. juncea subsp. tsatsai var. tumida

https://themalamarket.com/collections/regional-chinese-sauces-pickles/products/zhacai-preserved-mustard-tuber

GANLANCAI 橄榄菜
English Names: PS Olive Vegetable, Preserved Mustard in Brine
Made from: Chinese Olive Greens and Mustard Greens

https://www.amazon.com/PS-Olive-Vegetables-HK-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E8%93%AC%E7%9B%9B%E6%A9%84%E6%AC%96%E8%8F%9C/dp/B0088LLRI2

XUECAI 雪菜
English Names: Snow Vegetable, Pickled Cabbage, Preserved Pot Herb Mustard
Made from: Brassica juncea var. crispifolia

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Mailing-Canned-Pickled-Cabbage/dp/B08CMXDG5N/

SUANCAI 酸菜
English Names: Sour Mustard, Pickled Mustard
Made from: Mustard Greens -or- Napa Cabbage

https://www.amazon.com/Asian-Taste-Mustard-Pickled-Vegetable/dp/B00IR5HVH0

MEICAI 梅菜
English Names: Dried Mustard Leaf, Dried Fermented Greens, Dried and Pickled Greens
Made from: Small Mustard Greens

https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Farm-Dried-Mustard-Ounces/dp/B01A71GVK4

DATOUCAI 大头菜
English Names: Preserved Turnip, Preserved Radish
Made from: Turnip

Unavailable online, can sometimes be found in Chinese supermarkets under Cantonese name "Tai Tau Choy"

DONGCAI 冬菜
English Names: Tianjin Preserved Vegetable, Tianjin Winter Vegetable, Tianjin Salted Cabbage
Made from: Napa Cabbage

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tianjin-Preserved-Vegetable-Salted-Cabbage-21-Oz-600-g-with-Stainless-Steel-Mini-Spoon-2-Piece-Set/900888249

LAHPET
English Names: Cultured Tea Leaf, Pickled Tea
Made from: Tea Leaves

https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Cultured-Tea-Leaf-brand-Burmese-Gluten-free/dp/B07NVZMLB3

And check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the project!
http://www.patreon.com/ChineseCookingDemystified

Outro Music: คิดถึงคุณจัง by ธานินทร์ อินทรเทพ
Found via My Analog Journal (great channel): https://youtu.be/GHaL5H-VYRg