Harbin Long Cuisine

Harbin Long Cuisine

　　Harbin cuisine encapsulates the essence of Long Cuisine, primarily using locally sourced ingredients while emphasizing nutrition, health, and nourishment. It has won numerous accolades in national culinary competitions, including the Golden Tripod Award, Silver Award, and recognition as a "China Famous Dish." Harbin cuisine upholds the tradition of northern Chinese cooking while integrating the essence of modern nutrition, constantly innovating to become an important part of Longjiang cuisine.

　　　　In July 2003, the first Long Cuisine Banquet Exhibition in Heilongjiang Province was held at the Friendship Palace. The "Friendship Blossom of Harbin" banquet was awarded the title of "Longjiang Famous Banquet." The Harbin Friendship Palace is among China’s first batch of green hotels. The Harbin Branch of the China Cuisine Innovation Research Institute, also known as the Harbin Long Cuisine Research Institute, is located at the Friendship Palace. Representative dishes include Court Braised Lamb Flank in Soy Sauce and Harbin Canned Braised Lamb.

　　　　Court Braised Lamb Flank in Soy Sauce

　　　　Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, Prince Regent Dorgon was so busy with military affairs that he lost his appetite and had no interest in food. He Luo, the chief steward of the prince’s household, was deeply concerned. Together with Chef Zhao from the royal kitchen, they brainstormed ways to prepare a dish that would please the prince. After much deliberation, Chef Zhao decided to use lamb flank as the main ingredient, removing excess fat and carefully preparing it based on the prince’s preference for lamb. When served for lunch, the prince, who had never tasted this dish before, nodded repeatedly with delight and said with a smile, “I’ve fought battles across the land, but I’ve never had lamb with such rich sauce—fragrant yet not greasy, tender yet not falling apart.” When asked about the name, he thought briefly and blurted out, “Let’s call it ‘Court Braised Lamb Flank in Soy Sauce’!”

　　　　Lu Jun, head chef of the Friendship Hall at the Friendship Palace, improved and innovated this dish, which then won the top prize—the Golden Tripod Award—at the second China Food Festival competition.

　　　　Harbin Canned Braised Lamb

　　　　Harbin Canned Braised Lamb is a classic Russian-style dish that has been popular in Harbin for over 50 years. During the third China Food Festival in autumn 2002, the Friendship Palace’s entry, “Harbin Canned Braised Lamb,” won the highest honor—the Golden Tripod Award.