Fried Bamboo Worms

Fried Bamboo Worms

　　Bamboo worms, also known as bamboo bees or bamboo maggots, live inside bamboo stalks and primarily feed on tender bamboo shoots. They start eating from the tip of the bamboo and move downward section by section, eventually hiding in the lower sections of the stalk. By November, they become plump and stop feeding, making them ideal for catching—after that, they turn into pupae. Bamboo worms are not only a favorite food of the Hani ethnic group, but are also enjoyed and skillfully harvested by the Zhuang and Bouyei peoples. In the valley areas where the Bouyei live, where dense stands of nanmu bamboo grow, one can tell the worms are ready when the tips of the bamboo turn yellow—then the stalks can be split open to collect them. Once fried, the bamboo worms turn golden and shiny, with a crispy, fragrant texture and high protein content, making them an excellent dish to enjoy with alcohol.