Lüliang Eight Bowls

Lüliang Eight Bowls

　　The Lüliang Eight Bowls have a long history, and their widespread popularity is largely due to the significant influence of Chuan1 Academy in the region. In the 14th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Tang, an assistant minister of the Lüliang Flood Works Office under the Ministry of Works in Xuzhou, built an academy on Fengguan Mountain. Inspired by the phrase “The Master standing by a river said, ‘It passes on just like this, never ceasing day or night!’” from the Analects, he named the academy “Chuan1 Academy.” Successive governments of Xuzhou Prefecture held examinations for young scholars at this academy until the last imperial examination held by Emperor Guangxu in the late Qing Dynasty.

　　During each examination period, students would dine at tables seating seven. The meal included four side dishes and eight main bowls: the four sides being fresh fruits, while the eight main dishes comprised six meat and two vegetable courses, also known as “dry eight bowls.” Over time, the phrase “having eaten the eight bowls” became synonymous with scholarly excellence among locals, a saying that has endured to this day.

　　To prevent the centuries-old tradition of the “Eight Bowls” from being lost, the people of Lüliang integrated local culinary resources and proudly launched the “Lüliang Eight Bowls” menu in May 2009, featuring seasonal variations.

　　The current Eight Bowls mainly consist of “Great Harvest, Wild Vegetables, Boiled Tofu, Hongshan Lotus Root Stew, Braised Lion’s Head Meatballs, Nourishing Lamb, Steamed Silver Carp, and Stir-Fried and Braised Sanhuang Chicken.” All dishes are served in large, uniform bowls—visually hearty and satisfying to eat—with a strong rustic charm.

　　Among the restaurants in the Lüliang Mountain Scenic Area, the Da’afu chain store in Lüliang Village and Jiming Inn by the Xuan Shui Lake not only preserve the historical legacy but also innovate. Their renditions of the Lüliang Eight Bowls are especially outstanding.