Hengdong Local Cuisine

Hengdong Local Cuisine

　　Hengdong local cuisine is a distinctive culinary specialty from Hengdong County, Hengyang City, Hunan Province. Known for its unique regional flavors, Hengdong local dishes are celebrated across Hunan and beyond for their aromatic appeal, delicious taste, nutritional value, and health benefits.

　　Hengdong Local Cuisine

　　Images of Hengdong Local Cuisine

　　Hengdong local cuisine boasts a long and storied heritage. During the Qing Dynasty, the yellow chilies from Sangzhang were honored as “Imperial Chilies” due to their crisp texture and well-balanced flavor. In addition, dishes such as Yangqiao wheat gluten pork, Xintang di pi zi, Caoshi tofu, Xialiu salted eggs, and Shiwan crispy tripe have long been widely renowned. Leveraging locally sourced ingredients, the people of Hengdong began large-scale operations in local cuisine catering. The county’s Party committee and government seized the opportunity, promoting local cuisine as an industry to increase farmers’ income. They encouraged private investment in the processing of local dishes, improved traditional cooking techniques, elevated the quality of the cuisine, and enhanced market competitiveness. In October 2010, the county government hosted the Third Local Cuisine Culture Festival and Agricultural Products Trade Fair, selecting 20 representative Hengdong local dishes, 10 renowned local cuisine restaurants, 9 master chefs, and 1 “King of Local Cuisine.” The county was awarded the title of “Hometown of Local Cuisine” by the Provincial Culinary Association. Almost overnight, Hengdong local cuisine gained immense popularity, and sales soared. Within two months, 10,000 kilograms of Yangqiao wheat gluten pork and 100,000 kilograms of Sangzhang Imperial Chilies were sold. The reputation of “Hengdong Local Cuisine” skyrocketed, with over 1,000 Hengdong cuisine restaurants operating both within and outside the county, generating annual sales of 120 million yuan. Just in Xintang Town alone, there are more than 120 local cuisine restaurants, with an annual turnover exceeding 30 million yuan.

　　Selected Traditional Hengdong Local Dishes

　　Dish Names and Their Famous Titles

　　Dish Name Famous Title Dish Name Famous Title Dish Name Famous Title Dish Name Famous Title

　　Stir-fried Rooster with Tender Ginger Morning Melody of the Mih River Fish Head with Tofu Fisherman’s Love Song Braised Turtle in Soy Sauce Harmony in One Steamed Preserved Meats United in Effort

　　Stuffed Bitter Melon with Meatballs A Thoughtful Effort Pan-fried Dried Tofu Tiger-Skin Tofu Chili Chicken Stir-fry Golden Phoenix in Red Clouds Scrambled Eggs with Chives Fragrance That Travels Miles

　　Stewed Dog Meat with Chicken Eggs Loyal Soul’s Dream Fulfilled Boiled Yellow Sand Fish at Dayudou Fragrance by the Riverbank Stir-fried Chives with Bean Sprouts Pure and Clean Braised Duck Eggs with Green Chili Green Dyes the Countryside

　　Pickled Vegetable with Snails Sour Aroma Overflowing Stir-fried Dried Cucumber Skin with Minced Meat Loved by All Ages Steamed Loach Mist Locking the Dragon Steamed Eggplant Auspicious Air Fills the Room

　　Braised Donkey Meat in Soy Sauce Braving the Fire Tender Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves The Queen Steps Out Lotus Seed Sweet Soup Jade-like and Round Stir-fried Dried Bamboo Shoots with Wind-Dried Meat Tracing One’s Roots

　　Stir-fried Pork with Dry Horse Tendon Leaf Snapshot of the Rising Sun Wild Mushroom and Minced Meat Soup Monks Sharing a Meal Stir-fried Green Chili with Edamame Jade and Agate Velvety Pork Liver Liver and Gallbladder in Harmony

　　Cold Mixed Beef Tripe Herbal Hall of Shennong Braised Local Chicken in Soy Sauce Wind Soaring from the Valley Daiyu Crimson Clouds Daiyu Crimson Clouds Stewed Pig Stomach Scholarly and Deep

　　Scrambled Eggs with Chives All Roads Lead Home Stewed Old Duck Gazing at Distant Mountains Red Dates Braised Chicken Jade Phoenix in Radiance Bamboo-Flavored Young Chicken Phoenix Resting in Bamboo

　　Braised Chicken Cubes Fearless Youth Steamed Egg Milk-Filled Affection