Huaihua, a city located in the western part of Hunan Province, is like a bright pearl inlaid on the vast land of Hunan. It not only boasts magnificent natural scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage but also has delicious foods like shining treasures, exuding an irresistible charm, waiting for food lovers to explore and savor. Now, let’s embark on this wonderful journey of Huaihua cuisine.
Zhijiang Duck
Zhijiang Duck is a dazzling business card of Huaihua cuisine and a highly representative traditional dish. The production process of this delicacy is complex and elaborate. Locally – specific Ma ducks are selected as the main ingredient, and it goes through multiple fine procedures such as slaughtering, pickling, frying, and brining. First, the Ma duck is pickled with unique spices, allowing it to fully absorb the rich flavor of the spices. After pickling, the duck is fried in oil until the skin turns golden and crispy. This step not only gives the duck an attractive color but also locks in the tenderness inside. Subsequently, the fried duck is put into a carefully prepared brine and simmered slowly. The brine contains a variety of spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves, which blend together to give Zhijiang Duck a unique and mellow flavor. The finished Zhijiang Duck has a bright red color, tender meat, smooth skin, and a proper balance of saltiness, with a long – lasting aftertaste. Whether it is served as a dish on the dining table or eaten as a snack, Zhijiang Duck is highly favored. In the streets and alleys of Huaihua, this delicacy can be tasted in many restaurants and marinated food stores. The price of a portion of Zhijiang Duck is usually around 40 – 60 yuan.
Xinhuang Yellow Beef
Xinhuang Yellow Beef is a special delicacy in Xinhuang County, Huaihua, well – known far and wide. The unique natural environment in Xinhuang provides excellent conditions for cattle breeding. The local yellow cattle have tender meat and are rich in nutrition. There are various cooking methods for Xinhuang Yellow Beef, including frying, stir – frying, stewing, and grilling. Each method can showcase the unique charm of the beef. Fried Xinhuang Yellow Beef has a crispy outer layer and juicy inner part. When cut, the meat aroma fills the air. Stir – fried yellow beef is paired with side dishes such as green and red peppers, which is spicy and delicious. The chewy texture of the beef and the crispness of the side dishes complement each other. Stewed yellow beef has a delicious soup, and the meat is tender and nutritious, warming both the body and the heart. Grilled yellow beef skewers, sprinkled with cumin, chili, and other seasonings, are fragrant and a popular choice among street snacks. In Huaihua, delicious dishes made with Xinhuang Yellow Beef can be tasted in both high – end restaurants and small street – side shops. The price of an ordinary stir – fried Xinhuang Yellow Beef dish is about 30 – 50 yuan, while the price of stewed or grilled dishes may vary depending on the dish and the portion.
Tongdao Dong – style Pickled Pork
Tongdao Dong – style Pickled Pork is a characteristic food passed down by the Dong ethnic group, full of strong ethnic customs. Its production process is full of unique ethnic wisdom. High – quality pork is selected, cut into pieces, and pickled with seasonings such as salt, Chinese prickly ash, and chili peppers. After pickling for several days, the pork is placed in a wooden barrel or earthenware jar, with layers of pork and glutinous rice flour or millet flour placed alternately, and finally, the mouth of the jar is sealed. After several months of fermentation, the pickled pork gradually develops a unique flavor. The pickled Tongdao Dong – style Pickled Pork has a ruddy color, firm texture, and exudes a mellow sour and fragrant smell. When eating, the pickled pork can be sliced and steamed, and paired with the Dong – style sour soup or other side dishes. It has a sour and appetizing taste, with a special flavor. This ethnic – characteristic food is not only an important part of the daily diet of the Dong people but also an essential dish for entertaining distinguished guests. In the Dong villages or local restaurants in Tongdao County, this authentic delicacy can be tasted. The price of a portion of Tongdao Dong – style Pickled Pork is about 30 – 50 yuan.
Xupu Goose
Xupu Goose is a special product of Xupu County, Huaihua, known for its tender meat and low fat content. There are various cooking methods for Xupu Goose, and the most classic one is stewing goose with radish. A plump Xupu Goose is selected, cut into pieces, and stewed with the local sweet radish. During the stewing process, the deliciousness of the goose gradually seeps into the soup, and the radish absorbs the flavor of the goose, becoming soft and sweet. The goose meat has a firm texture, delicate taste, and no fishy smell. It matches well with the radish, and the soup is delicious and nutritious. This dish is not only a regular on the dining tables of Xupu people but also a good choice for keeping warm in winter in the Huaihua area. In local restaurants in Xupu, the price of a portion of stewed goose with radish is about 50 – 80 yuan, and the specific price may vary depending on the variety and portion of the goose.
Jingzhou Bayberry
Jingzhou Bayberry is a special fruit in Jingzhou, Huaihua, known as the “Best Bayberry in the South of the Yangtze River.” The unique geographical environment and climate in Jingzhou have nurtured bayberries with bright colors, large fruits, small pits, and a sweet – and – sour taste. Every June, during the bayberry – ripening season, the mountains are covered with purple – red fruits, attracting many tourists to come and taste. A freshly picked Jingzhou Bayberry, when bitten into, bursts with sweet – and – sour juice in the mouth. The pulp is tender and juicy, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste. In addition to being eaten directly, Jingzhou Bayberries are also processed into special products such as bayberry wine and dried bayberries. Bayberry wine has an attractive color and mellow taste, with certain health – care effects. Dried bayberries are sweet – and – sour, convenient to carry and store, and are popular snacks. In the local markets and fruit stores in Jingzhou, fresh Jingzhou Bayberries or their processed products can be easily purchased. The price of fresh bayberries may vary depending on the variety and quality, generally ranging from 10 – 30 yuan per catty.
Huitong Blood Glutinous Rice Cake
Huitong Blood Glutinous Rice Cake is a traditional food in Huitong County, Huaihua, with a unique production process. First, soak the glutinous rice and drain the water, then fully mix fresh duck blood with the glutinous rice so that each grain of glutinous rice is coated with duck blood. Then steam it and cut it into small pieces after cooling. When eating, fry the blood glutinous rice cake pieces in a pan until both sides turn golden, and stir – fry them with side dishes such as green peppers and garlic leaves. The fried blood glutinous rice cake has a crispy outer layer and a soft inner part, and it absorbs the flavor of the side dishes, with a very unique taste. Huitong Blood Glutinous Rice Cake can be used as a staple food or a dish, and it is one of the favorite foods in the daily life of Huitong people. In restaurants and snack stalls in Huitong County, this delicious Huitong Blood Glutinous Rice Cake can be tasted. The price of a portion is about 20 – 30 yuan.
The food in Huaihua is like a colorful picture scroll. Each delicacy carries the local history, culture, and local customs. From the well – known Zhijiang Duck to the tender and delicious Xinhuang Yellow Beef, from the ethnic – characteristic Tongdao Dong – style Pickled Pork to the classic and home – style Xupu Goose, from the sweet – and – sour Jingzhou Bayberry to the unique – flavored Huitong Blood Glutinous Rice Cake, every kind of food is worth a try. If you have the opportunity to come to Huaihua, be sure to slow down, savor these delicious foods on the tongue, and experience the unique charm of this city.
