Big Basin Dish

Big Basin Dish

　　Shiji Seafood Street in Panyu is a popular spot among locals, but nowadays its comfortable environment and delicious, affordable food have also attracted many visitors from Guangzhou. There are a total of 11 food stalls here, and among them, “Big Basin Dish Restaurant” has caught most people’s attention with its unique name. Moreover, there is a long corridor where you can watch boats coming and going along the Pearl River. Locals also row their boats over to sell various fruits and fresh duck eggs. The friendly haggling makes the whole experience very relaxing and pleasant.

The Big Basin Dish has a long history. Legend has it that during the late Southern Song Dynasty, when the emperor was fleeing from the pursuing Yuan troops and took refuge in Xinhui, his attendants were busy sourcing food. Learning of the emperor’s arrival, the local villagers, wanting to show their respect, contributed their most precious foods. In a hurry, they used wooden basins as serving containers to hold the delicacies. To avoid appearing disrespectful, they arranged assorted dishes at the bottom layers and placed finer items such as chicken, goose, and pork on the top layer of the basin. The story of the emperor eating the Big Basin Dish has since evolved into a lasting custom, continuing for hundreds of years without change.

According to Mr. Liang, the manager of “Big Basin Dish Restaurant,” the ingredients used in the dish today are much more varied than before. Considering that modern diners prefer less greasy food, the meat is first treated with a secret recipe to remove excess oil. As for the accompaniments, healthier ingredients are included whenever possible. For example, not only are mushrooms used, but also seasonal wild mountain mushrooms that are beneficial to health—such as red boletus and old man’s head mushrooms—are added in the coming summer. Nutritious treasures like abalone and sea cucumber may also be included. That’s why, besides being loved by Guangzhou families, the dish has also gained popularity among out-of-town workers and residents living in Guangzhou.