When you come to Nanjian, be sure to try a steaming bowl of glutinous pork rice noodles. Speaking of Nanjian’s glutinous pork rice noodles, the highlight lies in that rich, aromatic broth. First, pork (such as hind leg, pork knuckle, or the tender meat from the belly) is charred on the outside over charcoal fire, then scraped clean with warm water. It is then placed in a pot, brought to a boil over high heat, and the scum is skimmed off...
Since the period of the Republic of China, Nanjian has been producing handmade vermicelli, which was once exported to places such as Myanmar. The handmade vermicelli from Nanjian has the following characteristics: first, the raw material for the vermicelli is made from fava beans and peas, without any additives or substitutes; second, the entire production process is done manually, resulting in low efficiency and small output; third, Nanjian handmade…
When it comes to rice cakes, people from Yunnan are no strangers to them. They are made by pressing cooked sticky rice into thin pancakes, then roasting them over charcoal before adding some sauce and serving. In Nanjian, however, you’ll find that the local rice cakes are different — they’re as thin as paper. Once placed on the charcoal fire, they quickly puff up like a…
In Yunnan, matsutake mushrooms are not rare, but what truly stands out are those from Wuliang Mountain. The fame of Wuliang Mountain matsutake is earned through taste and has spread far and wide. In those well-known recipes and culinary traditions, matsutake often plays only a supporting role as a flavor enhancer. They may prepare an entire matsutake feast, yet fail to capture its true essence or fully appreciate its authentic flavor...
Nanjian walnuts are a specialty of Nanjian County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Nanjian County is a key base county for Yunnan’s cracked walnuts, with a long history of walnut cultivation and vast suitable planting areas.
Nanjian Crispy Rice Tofu Pudding is a specialty dish from Nanjian County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. As a green food sought after by today’s health-conscious consumers, Nanjian Crispy Rice Tofu Pudding is beloved for its unique flavor. Made from locally produced pea starch, the most challenging part of making this dish is preparing the crispy rice. First, the pea starch is stirred into a batter,…
Nanjian Fried Oil Chicken Truffle is a specialty of Nanjian County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. "What counts as fine cuisine? A house filled with the aroma of Fried Oil Chicken Truffle." This renowned local dish from Nanjian is made primarily with fresh local chicken truffles, along with various other ingredients, stir-fried in fragrant oil to create a flavorful condiment dish. Chicken truffles are a type of fungus, belonging to the higher fungi category, with a conical cap that...
Handmade vermicelli from Nanjian is a specialty of Nanjian County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Since the period of the Republic of China, Nanjian has been producing handmade vermicelli, which was once exported to places such as Myanmar. The handmade vermicelli from Nanjian has the following characteristics: first, the vermicelli is made from broad beans and peas without any additives or substitutes; second, the entire production process is done manually…
Prunus mume wrapped in perilla leaves has been produced in Jianchuan for hundreds of years. It is meticulously crafted using ingredients such as plums, perilla leaves, osmanthus, honey, and brown sugar. The production process is highly refined. First, the plum pits are removed and the fruit is carved into petal shapes, then filled with seasonings. The mixture is wrapped layer by layer with perilla leaves, placed in a clay jar, and a small amount of liquor is added before sealing for storage. The longer it is stored...
White kidney beans, scientifically known as Phaseolus multiflorus, derive their name from their diverse flower colors. They belong to the Fabaceae family, subfamily Faboideae, tribe Phaseoleae, and genus Phaseolus. Originally native to Mexico and Argentina in the Americas, white kidney beans have been cultivated and domesticated to adapt to cool, moist highland environments. The largest cultivation areas are found in countries such as Argentina and the United States in the Americas, the United Kingdom in Europe, and China and Japan in Asia. They were introduced and cultivated in China only in the late 16th century. Today, they are grown across various provinces and regions in China, with major production in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. Among these, Dali, Lijiang, and Lanping in Yunnan have particularly large cultivation areas.
Matsutake, scientifically known as Tricholoma matsutake, also called large-flower mushroom, pine mushroom, or peeled mushroom, is referred to as "Yumuluo" in the Naxi language. It is a delicacy among the native fungi of Lijiang. The product is mainly air-freighted from Lijiang for export, available either fresh or salted. Matsutake is rich in crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, as well as vitamins B1, B2, and PP. Not only is it delicious in taste, but it also offers benefits such as aiding digestion, resolving phlegm, expelling parasites, and providing unique therapeutic effects for diabetes, making it an ideal health food for middle-aged and elderly people.
Carved plums are a traditional and renowned food item of the Bai ethnic group. Historical records indicate that as far back as the Tang Dynasty during the Nanzhao Kingdom period, it was customary to give carved plums as gifts when visiting relatives and friends. The name “carved plum” comes from the intricate patterns carved into green plums. The production process uses salted plums as the raw material. First, the salted plums are soaked in limewater, then taken out and air-dried. Next, a carving knife is used to etch continuous, winding patterns into the flesh of the plum...
Visitors to the Jianchuan area of Dali, Yunnan, can all taste the local specialty — goat milk cake. Also known as milk tofu, goat milk cake is rich in fat and protein, making it a highly nutritious and delicious premium tonic. In the Jianchuan region, local families often serve it as a fine delicacy to entertain guests or give it as a gift to relatives and friends...
"Loach in Tofu" is a famous dish in Sword-Yard. Loaches can be caught in the ditches, ponds, rice paddies, seedling fields, and marshes around the villages of Sword-Yard, making it an abundant area for loaches. The easiest season to catch them is around the autumn equinox according to the lunar calendar. During this time, rainfall gradually decreases, sunny days increase, and the rice is about to mature…
Blue-head mushrooms grow in pine or coniferous forests, broad-leaved forests, or mixed woodlands. Their growing season is every summer and autumn, with increased yields after rainfall. The blue-head mushroom is the fruiting body of the fungus *Russula virescens*, belonging to the fungi kingdom. The cap is 3–12 cm wide, initially spherical, quickly becoming flattened hemispherical and gradually expanding, often slightly concave in the center, not sticky, and ranges from light green to gray...
“Dongshan Radish and West Lake Fish” is a local proverb in Jianchuan, so famous that it has even been turned into a Bai folk song by local singers. “Dongshan Radish” refers to the turnips grown in the Qinghua and Yuhua areas of Jianchuan, known among the local Bai people as “tu pian ci.” These turnips mainly grow in cold, high-altitude regions and bloom yellow flowers. Turnips are typically…
Jianchuan kidney beans are a specialty of Jianchuan County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. With their high protein content, excellent quality, and pollution-free production, they have been certified as “Grade AA Green Food” by the China Green Food Development Center, making them highly favored by consumers. Due to its high altitude, cool climate, minimal pests and diseases, and unpolluted environment, Jianchuan County is very suitable for the growth of kidney beans…
Jianchuan Di Shen is a specialty of Jianchuan County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Originally a wild, temple-grown vegetarian dish, Di Shen is rich in various amino acids and crude protein, making it an ideal green health food. Jianchuan Di Shen, also known as Cordyceps Di Shen, is commonly called "Gen Zai Zi" by the Bai people; in the Eryuan area of Dali, it is referred to as Xue Shen; in other provinces such as Yuncheng in Shandong and Hejian in Hebei, it is also called Chinese Di Shen, Di Ou, Di Sun, Zelan, or Yin Tiao Cai. The plant grows 120 to 160 centimeters tall, with a square stem, internodes spaced 2 centimeters apart, and four leaves per node arranged in a cross pattern. It produces white sesame-like flowers but does not bear fruit. The leaves are alternate, and botanically, it belongs to the perennial Lamiaceae family. Originally a wild plant, Di Shen has been domesticated and cultivated, resulting in significant improvements in yield and quality. It is both edible and medicinal. In spring and summer, its tender stems and leaves can be stir-fried, served cold, or used in soups. The main edible part is the pure white, crisp, and tender ring-shaped fleshy root harvested in late autumn. Resembling ginseng in shape and nutrition, it is thus named Di Shen (Earth Ginseng). These roots can be stir-fried, used in soups, deep-fried, or made into pickled vegetables, offering a delicious taste and considered a true vegetable delicacy. Di Shen contains a variety of amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and 16 types of amino acids, along with multiple trace elements, making it a highly nutritious health food.
Songrong mushrooms from Jianchuan are a specialty of Jianchuan County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Jianchuan is one of the main production areas and an important distribution hub for fresh Songrong mushrooms in Yunnan. Known for their premium quality and attractive appearance, Jianchuan Songrong mushrooms have long been favored in the Japanese market and serve as a significant source of income for local farmers. Jianchuan is located in the middle section of the Hengduan Mountains in northwestern Yunnan, in the northwest part of Dali Prefecture, bordering…
Jiānchuān Boletus is a specialty of Jiānchuān County in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. This type of boletus mushroom is delicious and never tires the palate, commonly known as the “delicious boletus.” It is rich in amino acids, high-quality protein, as well as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides that have anti-cancer properties, making it a prized “mountain delicacy.” Edible boletus species are widely distributed across Jiānchuān. Common varieties include white boletus, yellow boletus...