The taste of delicious food , the taste of life . Welcome to “Wei Xiao Du”. Today, we’re introducing the ” Top Ten Dishes of Xuzhou “. Xuzhou, formerly known as Pengcheng , is famous for its cuisine, which inherits the flavors of Pengcheng. The dishes are meticulously prepared, uniquely flavorful, and form their own distinct system, combining spiciness, freshness, and sweetness – a paradise for food lovers.
City and Local Guide
Lamb Stewed with Fish, a dish belonging to the Jiangsu cuisine, is considered the premier dish in traditional Chinese cuisine, boasting a history of 4300 years. The preparation involves placing fish inside large chunks of lamb , adding seasonings, and then cooking, steaming, or stewing them together, resulting in a delicious flavor. The fresh fish and lamb meld together perfectly, enhancing the overall taste. The lamb is crisp and flavorful, while the fish inside is tender and juicy.
Fruits and vegetables
Farewell My Concubine is a classic traditional dish of the Han Chinese people from Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, and also one of the classic traditional dishes of Hunan and Jiangsu cuisines. This famous dish was improved by the late renowned chef Pei Jihong. The historical theme of “Farewell My Concubine” is subtly enhanced by the imagery of chicken and turtle, creating a beautiful and evocative atmosphere. The chicken and turtle meat are tender, and the broth is rich and flavorful.
3. Stewed Chicken in a Clay Pot
Clay pot chicken is a traditional famous dish. The main ingredients are chicken, eggs, wheat flour, and corn flour. It has a fresh and mellow flavor. The flatbread absorbs the flavor of the dish, and the dish absorbs the aroma of the flatbread. In the past , fishermen who worked and rested on Weishan Lake would often bring a small mud stove, put an iron pot on the stove, and burn some dry firewood underneath. They would then cook a pot of vegetables according to custom, and place flatbread around the pot. This is how this communal cooking method came about.
Meat and seafood
4. Dongpo’s return gift of pork
Geographic Reference Information
Dongpo Return Pork is a traditional local dish from Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, belonging to the Xuzhou-Hai cuisine. This dish uses pork ribs as the main ingredient, cut into large chunks, rinsed clean, and placed in a clay pot with various seasonings and a rich broth. It is first boiled over high heat, then simmered over low heat until tender. The original broth is fresh, rich, and has an unforgettable aftertaste.
Peixian dog meat generally refers to turtle-sauce dog meat, the most famous local traditional specialty dish of Peixian County, Jiangsu Province. Turtle-sauce dog meat is a deep reddish-brown color, bright in appearance, delicious and mellow in flavor, with a firm yet tender texture that is not greasy—truly excellent in color, aroma, and taste. It has high nutritional value and also medicinal properties that aid digestion.
animal husbandry
6. Xuzhou braised pork
Xuzhou braised pork belly is a specialty dish of Xuzhou and one of China’s famous snacks . The meat melts in your mouth, fragrant but not greasy. Braised pork belly is usually stewed with other side dishes, such as green peppers, kelp knots, gluten, bean curd sticks, bean curd sheets, bok choy, sausage , and chicken legs. A bowl of rice with the meat broth makes for a rich and satisfying meal, with a lingering and fragrant aftertaste.
City and Local Guide
7. Golden threads wrapped around a gourd
Fruits and vegetables
Golden Threads Wrapped Gourd is a specialty dish of Xuzhou, named for its resemblance to a gourd. Xuzhou cuisine is renowned for its silk-pulling technique. This dish uses Osmanthus Hawthorn Cake, a specialty of Xuzhou, made from hawthorn, white sugar, and osmanthus sauce. The dish is characterized by its sweet and sour flavor, the appearance of golden threads winding around the gourd, creating a delightful and interesting presentation. It is also believed to have the effects of relieving indigestion, dispersing blood stasis, stopping diarrhea, and fighting bacteria.
8. Sweet and Sour Four-Hole Carp
Soups and stews
Sweet and sour four-hole carp is a famous traditional dish in Xuzhou. Due to its long history, there are many legends. Generally, carp have two nostrils, but the carp produced in Tongshan County and Pei County along Weishan Lake have four nostrils and are more delicious than the carp from the Yellow River.
9. Lamb tenderloin
food
Lamb tenderloin is a famous traditional snack in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province . It is a dish made primarily with lamb, supplemented with sweet potato starch, spices, flour, and other ingredients. Crystal-clear tenderloin floats on the milky white lamb broth . Gently blow on the emerald-green cilantro and bright red chili oil, then take a sip of the piping hot lamb bone broth—the aroma is irresistible, filling your mouth with fragrance. Scoop up a piece of tenderloin with a ladle, and enjoy its smooth, tender texture—a truly delightful experience.
10. Pengcheng fish balls
Cooking and Recipes
Pengcheng fish balls, also known as fish pearls, were created by a chef at the Yuelai Restaurant during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. They are pure white in color, tender in texture, and have a calming and stomach-soothing effect. Kang Youwei once wrote a couplet praising them: “Pengcheng fish balls are renowned far and wide, their reputation spreading throughout North and South Vietnam.” Authentic Pengcheng fish balls are white and tender, of excellent quality, and have a delicious flavor.
These are the “Top Ten Dishes of Xuzhou” that I’ve brought to you today. If you have any comments or suggestions, or if you’d like to learn about other local delicacies, please feel free to comment or send me a private message. I welcome your comments, likes, and shares. Follow me to learn more about local specialties. The taste of food is the taste of life. I’m “Wei Xiao Du,” see you next time, thank you everyone.
