Dragon-Phoenix Soup

Dragon-Phoenix Soup

　　Dragon-Phoenix Soup is a famous dish commonly served at grand and sumptuous banquets in both urban and rural areas of Gutian County.

　　Legend has it that when a wealthy man in Gutian was celebrating his sixtieth birthday, his eldest daughter prepared a “bear’s paw banquet,” his second daughter a “bird’s nest banquet,” but the youngest daughter, whose family was poor, worried about not being able to afford a proper feast. One day, her husband was fishing and caught a snake that weighed nearly two jin. The third daughter looked at the chicken in their cage and said happily to her husband, “I’ve got it—we’ll prepare a ‘Dragon-Phoenix Banquet’ for the birthday celebration.” On the day of the celebration, she announced the dish to the guests: “This humble daughter can offer nothing more than a single bowl of ‘Dragon-Phoenix Auspiciousness’ as an expression of filial piety.” With that, she lifted the lid of the bowl, revealing a phoenix standing proudly upright, while in the fragrant broth swam a coiled dragon with outstretched claws. The guests burst into applause, exclaiming, “Dragon-Phoenix Soup—truly marvelous!” Since then, Dragon-Phoenix Soup has become a renowned dish in Gutian’s urban and rural areas. Its preparation method is as follows: slaughter a rooster, pluck its feathers, remove its internal organs, and cut off the claws. Insert bamboo skewers into the neck and body of the chicken to keep its head upright. Then, skin a snake, remove its innards, and coil it up. Place the snake in the bottom of a large bowl, tucking a chicken claw at both the head and tail ends. Next, place the whole chicken on top of the snake in the bowl, and steam it over high heat until fully cooked. Once removed, season lightly with salt, MSG, and rice wine before serving.

　　The specialty “Dragon-Phoenix Soup” not only boasts an elegant name, but also offers a unique flavor. The chicken is tender, the snake meat delicious, and when the two are simmered together with just a touch of salt and no sour, spicy, or sweet seasonings, you can truly savor the pure, natural flavors of both the chicken and the snake.