Yunnan Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Dishes For First Timers

While traveling in Yunnan, tourists can enjoy diverse cuisines like Cross-Bridge Noodles, Xuanwei Ham, Flower Cakes, and Insect Feast, satisfying their taste buds and immersing them in the rich cultural heritage and local flavors of Yunnan.

There are a wide variety of cuisines that you must try when you travel to Yunnan, each of which contains the unique flavor and culture of Yunnan. Below are some recommendations of food you can't miss:


1. Cross Bridge Rice Noodle

Brief introduction: Bridge Rice Noodle is a Han Chinese snack unique to the south Yunnan region, belonging to the Yunnan cuisine. Originating from Mengzi area, it is famous for its delicious soup, soft and sticky rice noodles and rich condiments.

Characteristics: the soup is made of big bone, old hen and Yunnan Xuanwei ham boiled for a long time, the soup is clear and fragrant, the rice noodle is soft and sticky, supplemented with many kinds of small vegetables, the taste is rich in layers.


2. Xuanwei Ham

Introduction: One of the famous Han specialties in Yunnan Province, named after Xuanwei.

Characteristics: Pipa-like shape, thin skin and thick meat, moderately fat and thin, strong aroma after cutting, bright color, lean meat is bright red or rose color, fat meat is milky white, the bone is slightly peach red, like the blood is still moist.


3. Flower Cake

Introduction: Yunnan's unique edible roses into the ingredients of the cake, originated in the Qing Dynasty, is one of the essential gifts for Yunnan tourism.

Characteristics: golden color, crispy texture, rich fragrance, flowers, unique flavor.


4. Wild Mushroom Hot Pot

Introduction: Yunnan is the kingdom of wild mushrooms, which are rich in variety and flavor, and the wild mushroom Hot Pot feast is one of the specialties of Yunnan.

Characteristics: Using a variety of wild mushrooms boiled, soup base is delicious, mushrooms with different tastes, rich in nutrients.


5. Erkuai Ersi

Introduction: Dali rake meat Ersi, Qujing burn Erkuai, steamed Ersi, etc., a variety of Erkuai production methods, is a famous snack in Yunnan!

Characteristics: Soft and chewy texture, with different seasonings and ingredients, different flavors.


6. Huotang Chicken

Introduction: Lijiang specialties, flavorful local chicken with charcoal fire slowly simmered to ensure the original flavor of chicken.

Characteristics: tender and juicy chicken, mellow soup, sitting by the fire slowly savored, a unique flavor.


7. Steamboat Chicken

Introduction: Steamed in a steamer, the steam is cooled into water droplets through a hollow tube into the pot into chicken soup.

Characteristics: Separation of meat and bones, tender chicken pieces, sweet soup, is one of the specialties of Jianshui, Yunnan.


8. Roasted Fish with Lemongrass

Introduction:Traditional Dai flavor dishes in the south Yunnan region, the main ingredient is tilapia fish, with lemongrass and other auxiliary ingredients slow roasted on a small fire.

Characteristics: unique practice, fish meat is fresh and fragrant, lemongrass flavor and fish meat perfect combination, memorable.


9. Dai Hand-pulled Rice

Introduction: A specialty of Xishuangbanna, a mixture of white and purple rice with pineapple, grilled meat and other auxiliary ingredients, eaten by hand.

Characteristics: very ethnic characteristics, rich and varied taste, is a must-try food to experience the Dai ethnic customs.


10. Insect Feast

Introduction: One of Yunnan's specialties, grasshoppers, bee pupae, bamboo worms and other kinds of insects are fried.

Characteristics: Although it may be a bit challenging for outsiders, you will find its unique flavor and nutritional value after you really try it.


In addition to the above cuisines, Yunnan has many other specialty snacks and dishes waiting for tourists to explore and taste. During your travels, you may want to try more local cuisine and experience the unique charm of Yunnan.

Recommended Itinerary: 3-Day Kunming Culture TripDali and Lijiang Old Town Tour4-Day Xishuangbanna Trip...MORE


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