Lisu Hand-Grabbed Rice

Lisu Hand-Grabbed Rice

　　"Hand-Grabbed Rice" is a local specialty of the Lisu people with distinctive regional flavors. The preparation method involves cooking locally produced fragrant rice and then pouring it onto a cleaned bamboo tray. On top of the rice are placed small pieces of braised pork, grilled chicken, cooked ham, fried potatoes, cold mixed heartleaf houttuynia, boiled pumpkin, and seasonings, and then a bowl of chicken soup is served in front of each guest.

　　Before eating "Hand-Grabbed Rice," guests must wash their hands. Then everyone gathers around the bamboo tray, using their left hand as a bowl and their right hand as chopsticks, eating the "Hand-Grabbed Rice" while drinking chujiu (a traditional alcoholic drink). During the meal, the host also sings touching toasts and offers each guest a "Unity Wine" until the guests are fully satisfied with food and drink.