Huxian Rice Flour Cold Skin

Huxian Rice Flour Cold Skin

　　Qinzhen Rice Flour Cold Skin is a specialty of Qindu Town in Huxian. Made from rice flour, it has a history of over 200 years. Originally, Qinzhen cold skin was made from wheat flour, but around the end of the 19th century, it transitioned to using rice flour. By the late Qing Dynasty, there were already well-known cold skin shops in the town, such as “Zhao’s Skin Shop.” The main ingredient is rice, which is soaked, ground into a slurry, and then steamed. When served, it is sliced into thin strips and seasoned with chili oil, vinegar, and other condiments. Its characteristics are: sour, spicy, chewy, soft, refreshing, cool, and fragrant.

　　Nowadays, there are many shops selling Qinzhen Rice Flour Cold Skin, which has a significant influence across the Guanzhong region. There is a popular saying among locals: "Qianzhou’s Guokui, Qishan’s noodles, and Qinzhen’s skin wraps around Chang’an." In terms of quality, some of the more famous ones include “Zhao’s Skin Shop” under the Yaowang Tower and “Tu Yanwa” skin at the Chenghuang Temple, both of which have a history of over a hundred years. Today, under the guidance of Zhao Kekuan, the 80-year-old third-generation successor of “Zhao’s Skin Shop,” the shop continues the traditional business style of its predecessors, strictly selecting high-quality ingredients, using refined seasonings, blanching vegetables before serving, and diluting vinegar with water to prevent the cold skin from breaking apart. Rice flour cold skin is considered a premium dish for entertaining guests in Qinzhen. Traveling merchants not only enjoy it on the spot but often also take some home wrapped in lotus leaves for their relatives, friends, or family to share. Currently, there are over a hundred shops in Xi’an that serve Qinzhen-style cold skin, with “Xue Changli Rice Flour Cold Skin Shop” being one of the chains. Additionally, many residents from Huxian and Qinzhen have opened small cold skin shops in cities such as Shenzhen, Hainan, Beijing, and Shanghai.