Stink Beans

Stink Beans are known for their signature pungent smell, which not everyone appreciates. But they are a beloved ingredient used in many Southeast Asian dishes.

Other Names

Parkia speciosa (scientific name)
Bitter bean
Twisted cluster bean
Sator bean
Petai (Indonesian/Malaysian)
Pete (Indonesian)
สะตอ / sataw (Thai)

What Are Stink Beans?

Stink beans are a type of legume that is native to Southeast Asia. They grow hanging from a tree, wrapped in a tough outer skin of twisted pods that grow in clusters with bright green seeds the size and shape of plump almonds. It has earned its name because the seeds have a rather peculiar smell and long-lasting odor that is said to be reminiscent of methane gas, sulfur, or rotten eggs.

Why Are Stink Beans Smelly?

The stink beans are enjoyably nutty and offer this pungent smell you either love or hate. They owe their pungent aroma to the high levels of amino acids contained in them which, when eliminated from the body, convert into sulfur-containing chemicals, often resulting in smelly urine.

The smell usually stays in your mouth and body for a day or two. When you urinate, your urine will have a strong sulfur smell. Have you ever eaten asparagus before? Stink beans offer a similar smell.

What Do Stink Beans Taste Like?

These smelly, bright green beans are nutty and slightly bitter. They are believed to offer many health benefits. They are versatile and can be enjoyed raw, fried, roasted in their shell, pickled, or stir-fried with various condiments.

Where to Buy

If you live in Southeast Asia, you can easily find stink beans at local fresh markets or supermarkets when they are in season. They may come in bunches, still in the pods, or pre-peeled in a package. If you live outside Southeast Asia, you can find them in Asian grocery stores.

How to Prepare

Remove the seeds by making a knife slit on the beans and peeling off the seeds inside each of them with your hands.

The seeds often have small worms inside, so cutting the beans in half allows you to see if there are any worms you need to remove.

How to Store

Remove the seeds from the pods. Don’t wash them and put them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to a week. Don’t leave them longer than that or they will become dry and lose their flavor.