Wuxiang Fried Fingers are a specialty of Wuxiang County in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. The dough is first kneaded, then rolled into thick pancakes, and cut into finger-sized pieces. These are then stir-fried in an iron pot after the pot has been heated with ground dry soil, resulting in a crispy and delicious snack. "Fried Fingers" is a type of pasta product named for its resemblance to human fingers...
The ancient Shangdang region is the homeland of millet. There are many ways to eat millet locally—common dishes include millet congee, millet porridge, steamed millet, stir-fried millet, and steamed buns made by mixing millet flour with wheat flour. But few know about the method of making Oil-Infused Golden Millet Rice. I remember eating this dish often as a child. Back then, it was simply prepared by…
Originally known as the Auspicious Birthday Feast, the Banquet of Longevity for Meritorious Figures is a traditional birthday banquet with elaborate customs, prepared by wealthy families in the Shangdang region for their elders' birthdays. It has been popular in southeastern Shanxi since the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially in recent years, the format of the birthday banquet has been reformed, winning widespread favor among both elders and younger generations. The reception office of the Changzhi Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government...
Lu Embroidery The ancient name of Changzhi in Shanxi Province was Luzhou, and the embroidery produced there has long been commonly referred to as Lu Embroidery. Historically, it was mainly handmade by individual artisans on a small scale, without large-scale industrial production. In the 20th century, the city of Changzhi established an embroidery factory, primarily producing embroidered products such as quilt covers, pillowcases, and door curtains. Since its establishment in 1980, the enterprise once...
Ping Shun Dahongpao Prickly Ash is a specialty of Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. With its thick rind, numbing aroma, rich oil content, and excellent storability, Ping Shun Dahongpao Prickly Ash ranks among the best. The county has been designated as "China's Hometown of Dahongpao Prickly Ash" by both the Ministry of Agriculture and the China Association for Science and Technology. Pingshun is one of the earliest regions in China to cultivate prickly ash. According to relevant sources…
"Wuhuaxin" Codonopsis Root is produced only in Lingchuan County due to specific geographical, climatic, soil, and mineral content conditions, with an annual output of 300,000 kilograms. The transverse section of the root has a five-petal pattern, is rich in oil, contains no residue, and has 1–1.5 times higher sugar content and medicinal value than ordinary Codonopsis Root. There is a saying that "one Wuhuaxin root is better than ten pounds of ordinary roots."…
Jincheng Small Red Persimmons are brightly colored, thin-skinned, juicy, tender, and rich in sugar. They are one of China's 19 renowned varieties of persimmons and are known as “woody grain” and “iron-crop.” Processed foods such as persimmon stir-fried noodles and dried persimmons are also very popular. Every year in golden October, when persimmon leaves fall, the branches are laden with persimmons that look like little red…
Fried Pastry Pocket, created during the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that a general went off to battle while his wife was pregnant. When he returned victorious, his wife used the local glutinous millet flour to make fried pastry pockets as a treat for her husband. The general loved them so much that on the very same day, his wife gave birth to a boy and a girl. Overjoyed, the general ordered the army cooks to prepare Fried Pastry Pockets to celebrate with his troops...
Stir-fried mung bean jelly is a traditional street snack from Jincheng with a history of over 100 years. First, cut the jelly into 3–4 cm squares, about 1 cm thick, and set aside. Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a pan, then stir-fry the jelly pieces. Drizzle with a mixture of vinegar and minced garlic, cover, and let the flavors infuse...
It is said that when Empress Dowager Cixi fled westward during her exile, she passed through Zezhou. The local officials hosted an elaborate banquet in her honor. However, just as the feast was about to begin, the chef realized in a panic that he had accidentally left out one dish amid the chaos. To avoid being put to death, the quick-thinking chef grabbed a bunch of Bagong Chinese leeks from the cutting board, chopped them up in a few strokes, stir-fried them into a dish, and served it to the imperial party—naming it “Stir-fried Chinese Leek.”…
Black lilac is a woody oil-producing plant. Its scientific name is Maodi, and it was historically known as Songyang. It has been cultivated since the Spring and Autumn Period. There are two types: Fuliangzi (summer black lilac) and Qiuliangzi (autumn black lilac). With an oil content of 33.5–36.7%, the oil is edible. The highest-yielding trees can produce around 200 kilograms per year. The city’s total annual production is nearly 600 tons, accounting for about 40% of the local edible oil supply…
Jincheng Red Dates are a traditional and renowned fruit of Shanxi, and one of the country’s eight major production areas. They are mainly grown in Chenwei and Xiacun, two towns on the outskirts of Jincheng City. The hawthorns here come in two main varieties: one has a sweet-and-sour flavor, while the other is sweet without any sourness. Fenkou Hawthorn (Pink-mouth Hawthorn): The fruit is round, bright crimson on the sun-exposed side and red on the shaded side, with a glossy surface…
A fried snack. Made by mixing wheat flour with water, eggs, and white sugar, then shaping the dough into four to five-centimeter-long twists resembling braided dough. These are deep-fried until golden brown. They have a crispy texture and sweet, savory taste. Commonly eaten for breakfast or as a dessert. So loved by everyone that they’re called “Crispy Delights.”…
Pickled Vegetable Black Noodles, also known locally as Pickled Mustard Green Black Noodles, is a local delicacy of Jincheng. In the old days, due to a shortage of white flour in the area, people mixed white flour with sorghum flour to make noodles as a way to vary their diet. With Jincheng being famous for its well-pickled vegetables, the dish is served with a pickled vegetable sauce paired with the black noodles. It is sprinkled with coriander, sesame, and can also be topped with chili. The taste is sour...
Qingshui County is a major goat-raising county in Jincheng City, with a long-standing tradition of goat husbandry. The Qingshui County Goat Raising Association was established in 2005, initiated by Jincheng Qinhelv Yuan Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., six animal husbandry and veterinary centers in Qingshui County, and 82 goat farmers. It was approved by the Qingshui County Animal Husbandry Bureau and registered as a non-profit social organization under approval number 【2005】006 issued by the Qingshui County Civil Affairs Bureau…
Dissolve the alkali and salt in water to make the dough. Roll it out with a rolling pin until smooth, then brush with vegetable oil. Let it rest for 30 minutes before rolling it into noodles. Cover with a cloth and wait until a fragrant aroma emerges before boiling and serving. Its characteristics are a refreshing fragrance, delicious taste, and smooth texture.…
Officially known as Mutton Li Gezhua, it is a unique delicacy among the local snacks of Qinshui. Legend has it that a shepherd surnamed Li loved eating mutton buns but eventually grew tired of them. One day, on a whim, he borrowed his neighbor’s griddle used for making pancakes and tried pan-frying the buns. However, the thick dough made them hard to cook through. So, he greased his hands and stretched the bun wrappers thin. The result was a delicious, non-greasy treat with a distinctive flavor.
Qingshui Honey. Qingshui Honey is a health food product. The Qingshui area boasts abundant honey sources, including over 800,000 acres of vitex, more than 300,000 acres of blackthorn, over 100,000 acres of locust trees, as well as hundreds of thousands of acres of various crops and fruit trees. Its bottled purified honey is a bestseller in the market and enjoys nationwide fame.…
Qinzhou Purple-skin Garlic is produced in Duanzhi Town, Qinzhou County. It is characterized by large bulbs, big cloves, and a strong pungent flavor. It is a renowned local specialty product in Jincheng, Shanxi Province. …
A signature dish of Qinshui County. The "three delicacies" refer to monkey head mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and daylily blossoms—each a local specialty of Qinshui. Expertly prepared by master chefs, seasoned and simmered into a savory broth, this dish not only retains their unique nutritional value but also delivers an exceptionally rich and delicious flavor. …