Is this seriously not the most gorgeous pot of noodle soup you've ever seen?  This "mala noodle soup" is from a local hot pot restaurant called Little Dipper Hot Pot House.  As you can guess from the photo, it's a spicy amalgamation of vegetables, tofu, broth, an egg, noodles, and mala spices. The Sichuan peppercorn creates that delicious flavor that  is both "ma" meaning "numbing" and "la" meaning spicy.

Want to put something together like this?  Be sure to include the thin slices of lotus root like you see at the left of the photo - the round sliced thing with holes throughout (created by the air chambers that run through the root of the lotus plant). It will take this visual feast over the top!

If you are able to find lotus root fresh at your international supermarket, it will look something like a giant string of sausages. The outside of the roots may look a bit banged up, but that usually ok as long as the roots still look fresh.  Remember that the lotus root has been growing underwater, and if you purchase from the store, it has also been shipped via truck before sitting on the shelf!  Still, if you take a look in the little holes, it should look clean, without mold.

​Lotus root is generally prepared for cooking like you see in the photo above. Slice the root thinly and you will see those beautiful pattern of holes created by the air channels inside the root.  

To prepare, peel the outside of the root using a vegetable peeler, then slice thinly.  The thickness of the slice is mostly a personal preference, but lotus root is often cut into about 1/4"-1/3" slices.  Lotus root should be cooked before eating. After slicing, you're ready to follow your favorite recipe!