Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes

Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes

　　The ancient land of Zhao, with its long history of civilization and profound cultural heritage, has not only given rise to many widely loved idioms and historical anecdotes but also to numerous dishes that have been cherished and renowned across the nation for generations. The Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes are one of them. There are some beautiful legends and stories among the people about the origins of Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes.

　　During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, the poet Li Bai, also known as the “Immortal Poet,” visited Guangping to see his nephew Li Yu, who was then the magistrate of Qingzhang County (the predecessor of Guangping County). He was delighted by the sight of the meandering Zhang River with its dotted sails, the endless mulberry trees and neat houses, and the beautiful women of Zhao strolling through the fields. Overjoyed by his uncle’s visit, the nephew ordered a pig to be slaughtered and a chicken prepared for a feast. However, with only one stove and one cooking range, it was difficult to prepare a variety of dishes all at once. So he instructed the cook to prepare tender meats and seasonal vegetables, season them with fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, salt, and other spices, arrange them in eight bowls, and steam them in a steamer. Before long, eight different flavors were ready from a single stove. After several rounds of drinks, eight bowls of dishes—four meat and four vegetable—were served. Li Bai picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. He found the meat dishes smooth yet not greasy, and the vegetable ones lightly salted with a fragrant taste. He enjoyed them so much that he broke into a sweat and savored the lingering flavors. When he asked what these dishes were, his nephew replied: “Eight Steamed Dishes.” Li Bai praised: “The Eight Steamed Dishes need no boasting for their fine taste; they surpass imperial soup when hosting friends and guests. By day, admire the beautiful scenery of Qingzhang; by night, savor the delicious Eight Steamed Dishes.” He was so inspired that he composed the poem “To My Nephew Yu, the Enlightened Magistrate of Qingzhang,” describing the grand occasion. Since then, the Eight Steamed Dishes have become a beloved dish for locals to entertain family and friends, and their fragrance has endured to this day.

　　It is said that when Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty returned from his southern tour, he inspected the Zhang River’s flooding issues and stayed temporarily in Guangping. After tasting the Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes, he praised: “The most beautiful scenery under heaven is in Suzhou and Hangzhou, but the most delicious food among mankind is the Eight Steamed Dishes.” The emperor ordered them to be brought to the imperial palace and included in the imperial menu. The Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes became famous throughout the land.

　　Today, the Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes are divided into meat and vegetable varieties. The meat dishes include pork belly, chicken chunks, meatballs, and more, while the vegetable ones include pressed vermicelli (known as pizha), kelp, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and others. Although they are called the “Eight Steamed Dishes,” over 30 types of meat and vegetable dishes can now be prepared. After the reform and opening-up, what was once only available during rural weddings and funerals has now proudly entered hotels and restaurants. To cater to different tastes, the people of Guangping have also developed series of Eight Steamed Dishes that include sweet flavors preferred by southerners, salty ones favored by northerners, and spicy options loved by people from Sichuan. Today, if you visit Guangping County, the Guangping Eight Steamed Dishes will leave you with a lifelong unforgettable memory after just one taste.