Xuzhou is a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu Province, located in the northwest of Jiangsu. With a history of more than 2,600 years, Xuzhou is an important gateway city in East China. It not only has a long history, profound cultural heritage, and numerous scenic spots, but also, due to its special geographical location, it has gathered delicacies from all over the country, forming its own unique food culture.
Xuzhou is a very inclusive city, a melting pot of cuisines from all over the country. Whether you’re from the south or the north, you can find something to suit your taste in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. Xuzhou cuisine is highly eclectic, offering a wide variety of flavors including sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. A dazzling array of snacks and delicacies are found throughout the streets and alleys of Xuzhou. They may not be famous, or they may be simple and ordinary, but they are all part of the charm of this ancient city and an important component of Xuzhou’s culinary culture, synonymous with the taste of Xuzhou. Today, Xiaohong will share six of Xuzhou’s most distinctive foods with you. The fifth one is known as the “King of Sausages.” Let’s follow Xiaohong to try them; you can’t really call yourself a local if you haven’t tried at least three or five of these.
Delicious and flavorful Xuzhou mutton soup
Many say Xuzhou’s lamb spine hot pot is delicious, but its lamb soup is even more delicious and renowned. Lamb soup holds a special place in the hearts of Xuzhou people, evident in the numerous lamb soup restaurants lining the streets. Whether large or small, every lamb soup restaurant in Xuzhou has a large pot filled with lamb meat, bones, and offal. The hot broth boils and simmers, filling the entire restaurant with its aroma. The pot is constantly stirred with a large ladle while the soup is cooking. When a customer orders lamb soup, lamb is added to their bowl, hot broth is poured over it, and then cilantro or scallions are added according to the customer’s preference. Many seasoned Xuzhou foodies also request a spoonful of lamb fat—the flavor is simply divine. Xuzhou lamb soup doesn’t include any side dishes or glass noodles; it’s truly a authentic lamb soup.
Beautifully presented and deliciously flavored braised pork hock
Braised pork hock is a traditional specialty of Xinyi City, Xuzhou. It’s a meat product made by wrapping a mixture of marinated pork and cooked skin strips in fresh pig’s trotters after removing the bone, leaving the skin intact. The trotters are then braised. Braised pork hock is aesthetically pleasing, delicious, and fragrant, and has a relatively long shelf life. It’s tender with fragrant skin, perfectly seasoned, and has a unique flavor, making it a top-notch accompaniment to drinks.
Traditional flavored food: Jiawang vegetarian ham
Jiawang vegetarian ham is a famous local delicacy from Jiawang District, Xuzhou. It’s called vegetarian ham because it’s a bean-based food, also known as Jiawang tofu rolls. Although it’s a bean product, its flavor is comparable to various meat-based hams. It’s firm, fragrant, and delicious, with a satisfyingly chewy texture and rich flavor. It can be prepared in many ways: cold-dressed, stir-fried, stewed, etc., and it’s delicious no matter how it’s cooked.
Laomo, a representative type of Xuzhou noodle dish
Laomo is a representative local delicacy in Xuzhou and is loved by the people of Xuzhou. Laomo has a very distinctive flavor; it’s chewy, springy, and very filling. It can be rolled with various sauces, meats, stir-fries, and even fried dough sticks and fried dough twists – the taste is simply unbeatable.
Dawangji Sausage, known as the “King of Sausages”
Wangji sausage is a specialty of Wangji Town, Suining County, Xuzhou, and is known as the “King of Sausages.” This sausage is made from lean pork from the hind leg and infused with various precious Chinese herbs. Unlike sausages from other regions, Wangji sausage has clearly visible chunks of meat when sliced. Its unique flavor is savory and slightly salty, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory, leaving a lingering aftertaste. It is also one of the most beloved foods in Xuzhou.
The renowned Peixian dog meat
People often say that “dog meat is not fit for a formal banquet,” but in Xuzhou, Peixian dog meat is a renowned delicacy. Peixian dog meat is bright in color, has a rich aroma, and tastes fresh, delicious, and not fishy at all. The meat is tender and flavorful without being greasy. Peixian locals often use dog meat to entertain guests. Furthermore, Peixian residents traveling outside the area often bring some dog meat with them, and visitors to Xuzhou frequently make sure to try this famous Peixian dog meat.
Of course, the famous delicacies of the ancient city of Xuzhou are far more than these. Other options include: mixed braised vegetables, pepper sauce, diced turtle, braised pork belly, lamb spine hot pot, snails from Bo’ai Street, vegetable pancakes, spicy soup, and eight-strand fried dough sticks, among others. If you know of any other delicious snacks in Xuzhou, please leave a comment below.
