Long ago, there was such a legend: “In the vast Yunmeng Marsh lived a yellow snake capable of riding the clouds and mists, summoning the wind and rain. In order to attain enlightenment sooner and enjoy the splendid life in the Dragon Palace, it came to pay homage to Guanyin on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, when all immortals gathered to worship her. Guanyin, with her all-seeing eyes, saw through its intentions at once, but out of her compassion to save all living beings…
Yunmeng is located by the ancient Chu Mengze wetlands, abundant in fish and shrimp. Fish is a common dish on the dining table, and among them is a uniquely flavorful delicacy—fish noodles. The making of fish noodles is quite particular. First, one must select the flesh of fish such as black carp, grass carp, silver carp, and common carp, along with premium wheat flour and cornmeal, then mix in sesame oil and fine salt. The process involves kneading, rolling, steaming, cutting, and drying...
Benefits: Tonifies qi, nourishes blood, moistens yin, and relieves dryness. Ingredients: 1 tray of pork ribs; 1 large white radish; minced scallions; minced ginger; minced garlic; 2 green onions. Seasonings: salt; sugar; ground pepper; cooking oil; light soy sauce; dark soy sauce. The method for braised pork ribs with radish is as follows: Steps and procedure: 1. Cut the pork ribs into sections, rinse under running water and soak, then drain. After draining, place...
As the name suggests, rice pancakes are definitely made from rice — specifically glutinous rice. It’s said that the production process is quite intricate. Derived from rice pancakes are also rice cakes, which are essentially steamed sponge cakes. In the morning, you can usually find them for sale at large markets, in the same areas where steamed buns and flatbreads are sold. Rice pancakes are typically steamed. …
A type of baked flatbread from Yunmeng, cooked with heat from the pot lid while the bottom is heated at a regular temperature. There are mainly three variations: 1) Long strip-shaped, 10–20 cm in length, 5–7 cm in width, and 0.5–2 cm in thickness, filled with pickled vegetable and minced pork or fat, savory in taste. Also known as strip rice cake or guokui. This variation also has a similar counterpart in Anhui folk cuisine, known as straw shoe cake.
In Yunmeng, the most typical example is the lard flatbread. Various local-style flatbreads can all be baked in the same type of oven, but they are usually baked one type per oven—so far, I haven’t seen multiple types baked in the same oven. This style of flatbread comes in two flavors: sweet and savory. The savory one is the lard flatbread, which has a bit of minced meat spread on the surface…
Yunmeng White Flower Cabbage is a specialty of Baihe Village, Chengguan Town, Yunmeng County, Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. Yunmeng White Flower Cabbage mainly grows in the Qingming River area, where the soil and humidity are ideal. The cabbage contains a unique white flower cabbage element, with amino acid content ten times higher than that of common vegetables, and mineral content such as phosphorus, iron, and calcium several times higher than that of ordinary vegetables...
Yunmeng Sesame Brittle Candy is a specialty of Yunmeng County, Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. The “Yuntian” brand sesame brittle candy is known for its pure, fragrant, crispy, and flaky taste, not sticking to the teeth, and being low in sugar. It has won the Hubei Provincial Quality Product Award and the Gold Award at the Provincial Food Expo multiple times, and is deeply loved by consumers. Yunmeng Sesame Brittle Candy is a “century-old”...
White Flower Vegetable is an annual herbaceous plant of the Capparaceae family, rich in amino acids as well as essential minerals such as calcium and iron for the human body. This vegetable boasts a unique flavor and is a widely renowned local specialty. Its stems and leaves can be pickled and eaten, making it one of the main pickled vegetables in summer. It can be stir-fried with meat, eggs, or on its own. With its fragrant and delicious taste, it can refresh, stimulate saliva production, whet the appetite, and strengthen the spleen. The entire plant also has medicinal uses. Anlu is the birthplace of White Flower Vegetable, with a documented cultivation history of over 3,000 years. As early as the fifth year of the Kangxi reign (1665), the Anlu County Annals described the vegetable as follows: “White Flower Vegetable, also known as Fragrant Vegetable, blooms small white flowers in summer and is famed for its uniquely exceptional aroma. There are both red-stemmed and white-stemmed varieties, with the red-stemmed being superior—unmatched elsewhere, likely due to differences in soil properties.” The city’s annual planting area reaches 20,000 tons, with an output value of 15 million yuan. The product is in high demand and is distributed across the country.
"Hanlin Chicken" is one of the series of Taibai dishes prepared at the Taibai Restaurant in Anlu City, northern Hubei. This dish gets its name from the fact that Li Bai once held the position of Hanlin academician. The chicken is first marinated for flavor and steamed until about 70% cooked, then deboned and cut into pieces, arranged on a plate to resemble the shape of a whole chicken. Additionally, the three characters "Hanlin Chicken" are carved from egg yolk cake and placed in front of the chicken’s head, …
Rapeseed is one of the major oil crops in our city. The perennial planting area covers approximately 150,000 mu, accounting for 66–75% of the total oil crop sowing area, with a total output of 12,000–14,000 tons, making up 70–77% of the overall oil crop yield. In recent years, with the large-scale promotion of high-quality double-low rapeseed, local farmers’ enthusiasm for growing rapeseed has risen significantly. From 1990 to 1998, the rapeseed planting area in our city was around 50,000 mu, reaching 100,000 mu in 1999. Between 2000 and 2003, the annual sowing area remained at about 150,000 mu, and this year’s autumn sowing is expected to hit 200,000 mu. All rapeseed varieties planted in our city are high-quality double-low types, mainly including Zhongyouza No. 2, Zhongyouza No. 4, Huaza No. 4, Huaza No. 5, Zhongshuang Nos. 7, 8, and 9. The commercialization rate of rapeseed exceeds 85%, and in high-output years, it can reach up to 90%. Rapeseed has climbed from the second to the first position among autumn-sown crops in our city. The large-scale promotion of high-quality double-low rapeseed has become one of the main sources of summer income growth for local farmers. Moving forward, we will focus on introducing new technologies and varieties, increasing contiguous planting efforts, further tapping the yield potential of rapeseed, expanding the planting area, supporting leading processing enterprises, and making high-quality rapeseed cultivation a new growth point for increasing farmers’ income in our city. (Anlu)
Rice is an important crop in Anlu City, with a long history of cultivation. Early records in the Anlu County Annals state: “The rice seedlings of Yuanguo thrive, and the land of Anlu is suitable for rice.” Thanks to Anlu’s unique soil, the excellent quality of the Yuanshui River, and a favorable climate, the rice produced here is of exceptionally high quality. As early as the Tang Dynasty, “Anlu Yuanyou Rice” was already well known for its excellence. In recent years, our city has focused on the production of rice, especially high-quality rice. The area under rice cultivation is extensive, with high per-unit yields and a high proportion of premium-grade rice. The city has 490,000 mu of arable land, including 400,000 mu of paddy fields. Around 350,000 mu are typically planted with mid-season rice each year, of which 150,000–200,000 mu are high-quality rice, accounting for about 50% of the total rice-growing area. The average annual yield is around 200,000 tons, with a commercialization rate of up to 73%. In recent years, the main varieties planted in our city have included II You 501, II You 725, E Xiang 1, and Yangdao 6. The steamed rice made from Anlu Yuanyou Rice boasts a fragrant aroma, moderate stickiness, and a soft, delicious taste. In 1985, Anlu’s “Yuanyou Rice” was recognized as high-quality rice at the National Exhibition of Premium Agricultural Products. Today, the “Hefeng Fragrant Rice” developed by Anlu Hefeng Industrial Co., Ltd. is very popular in the market. (Anlu)
Frying tofu stew for the New Year is a tradition in both urban and rural areas of Yunmeng, Xiaogan. A mixture of tofu and minced meat is wrapped in bean curd skin and then deep-fried until golden. The combination of meat and vegetables gives it a rich rustic flavor. As the lunar year draws near, the taste of the New Year begins on the tip of the tongue...
The alluvial plains around Yunmeng and other areas have humus-rich, loose soil that is perfect for the growth of lotus root strips. If the soil becomes compacted, the strips can’t push through the mud and will age, ceasing to grow. That’s why our lotus root strips are so crisp and sweet—this delicacy can’t be found in other provinces. The lotus harvesters from Xiaxindian and Daoqiao in Yunmeng are traditional…
When frying, first place the tofu pieces in warm oil, then fry them in hot oil until cooked. That is, place the tofu pieces in 60°C warm oil to let them slowly puff up, then transfer them to 140–150°C hot oil to fry until they puff up fully. After frying, remove them and drain off the excess oil to get the finished tofu puffs. The following points should also be noted when frying: ① Prevent the tofu puffs from absorbing too much oil. …
In Hujindian Town, by the Yuanshui River and within the Yun’an Polder, the folkways are simple and the climate is mild and moist—ideal growing conditions for a variety of crops. The abundant local produce has given rise to many delicious dishes, among which the steamed buns with steamy juiciness are a signature snack of the town. On a spring noon, the market in Hujindian Town has long since dispersed, but at…
Xiaochang Taizi Rice has been ranked as the best among China’s top five premium rice varieties (the five being Taizi Rice, Purple Sticky Rice, Black Rice, Zhen Gu Rice, and Fragrant Rice). At the National Specialty Products Fair held in Beijing in 1984, as soon as Xiaochang Taizi Rice made its appearance, it sparked a buying frenzy. Thousands of Beijing residents swarmed the sales booth, completely surrounding it...
Xiaogan Early Honey Peach is mainly grown along National Highways 107 and Jingzhu, centered around Yangdian Town in Xiaonan District, and extends to counties such as Xiaochang, covering a total area of 100,000 mu with an annual output of 100,000 tons. On December 1, 1992, Party and state leaders inspected the Yangdian Early Honey Peach base and spoke highly of it. …
Variety origin: A type of Chinese plum, also known as Imperial Royal Plum or Yellow-Golden Plum. Originally from Shandong Province, it is mainly distributed in Liaocheng, Xiajin, Weifang, and other areas. Fruit characteristics: The average fruit weight is around 60 grams, with larger fruits exceeding 85 grams; round or nearly round, with a flat or slightly indented apex, shallow suture line, and medium-deep stem cavity; the fruit is yellow with a relatively thick...
Yun Liquor is a specialty of Anlu City, Xiaogan, Hubei Province. The sealed jar Yun Liquor from Anlu boasts a richly aromatic body, mellow sweetness, crisp and clean taste, and a long-lasting aftertaste. Yun Liquor has successively won the Silver Award at the First China Food Expo and the Silver Bell Award at the First Hubei Provincial Baijiu Competition. Yun Liquor is produced in Anlu City, Hubei Province. In ancient times, Anlu was known as the State of Yunzi, hence the city of Anlu was also called...