Kacang Ma

Kacang ma is very famous in Sarawak. Kacang ma is a type of herb which is also called Chinese motherwort (botanical name is Leonurus Sibiricus). It is thought to have originated from China and brought to Sarawak by the Hakka. It's a common dish among the Hakka people, but today it is consumed by other races too. It's one of my favourite dish now. My sister sent me some packages from Sarawak.

It has unique flavour and aroma, is known for its special medical properties. It is effective in improving blood circulation, cardiovascular system, inducing diuresis. It is usually cook with chicken but you can substitute pork for chicken.  Actually, it's especially good for women on confinement or best taking after menses.

Depends on how much you put kacang ma herbs and Chinese wine put, it would taste bitter for first timers. Normally I put salt because I didn't like the bitter taste of it. The longer you cook it, the tender and tastier your chicken would be.

To cook kacang ma, it is recommended to dry fry the kacang ma herbs first before add in other ingredients i.e chicken, ginger, Chinese white wine. This is to extract out the fragrance of the herbs and expedite the cooking process. Please see below the steps how to cook kacang ma.


Fry the kacang ma on the skillet without oil till lightly brown (as seen above picture).  Then, crush it in the pedestal till it is fine (as seen below). You can use strand to take out the bigger. Normally I don't.

Grind ginger and squeeze the liquid out.

Cut chickens to your liking and wash.

White cooking wine, which I bought from Hong Kong Mall.

First, heat the skillet or pan with 2 tablespoon of oil, add in the onions and garlic. Thereafter add the chicken.

Add the Kacang Ma

Stir till properly mix.. 

.Add the white wine.

Add the ginger. Some people either add ginger first then add the wine.

Cook till simmer. The longer you cook it, the tender it is and the better it taste.  However, don't over cook it.  I add a little bit of water because I like to eat more soup.

Walaaah... look yummy.  Happy Eating!!!!