Lijiang Ci Ba

Lijiang Ci Ba

　　Lijiang Ci Ba

　　is a local specialty staple food. It is as thin as paper with many layers, hence also known as “thousand-layer cake,” and can be preserved for two to three months without spoiling. It is typically served with ham, Sichuan pepper, chopped scallions, lard, and comes in both savory and sweet flavors. An authentic Lijiang Ci Ba shop is located about fifty meters downhill from Guanmenkou, while most of those near Sifang Street are actually wholesale products from elsewhere—slightly more expensive and lacking in flavor.

　　Tip: About 5 meters ahead of Fulong Snacks, in a small alley where a large umbrella is set up regardless of weather, the owner sells a type of fried flatbread. The bread is cooked in a skillet heated by firewood and brushed with a small amount of sesame oil until golden brown on both sides. You can spread chili sauce on it or eat it plain to enjoy its natural wheat aroma. Each piece costs 50 cents and is quite filling. The same method is used for erkuai (rice cakes), which cost 50 cents for two. The owner usually packs up around 10 a.m., so you’ll need to get there early if you want to try them.