Yunnan cuisine, characterized by its sour and spicy flavors, is a unique paradise for food lovers. Due to its diverse ethnic groups, the dishes vary greatly in taste. Therefore, traveling to Yunnan not only offers breathtaking natural scenery but also a novel culinary experience. To help you avoid disappointment, this article carefully selects 16 of the most worthwhile Yunnan specialties and snacks to try, allowing you to savor the authentic flavors of Yunnan.
No.1 Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles
Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles is a famous and distinctive dish from Yunnan. The rice noodles are paired with various meats, eggs, seasonal vegetables, fried peanuts, chives, and other ingredients, all simmered in a rich broth. The noodles are smooth and chewy, the meat slices are tender and juicy, and the broth is rich and flavorful, creating a complex and unforgettable taste experience. Authentic Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles can be found in Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali.
Yunnan cuisine - Crossing-the-Bridge Rice NoodlesNo.2 Breast Fan
What is milk fan? This is a question many tourists ask when they first hear it. Milk fan is actually a type of cheese favored by the Bai ethnic group, made from cow's milk. It gets its name from its fan-like shape. Roasted milk fan is particularly representative; it has a crispy texture and a slightly charred aroma, making it very delicious.
No. 3 Bait Block
Erkuai is a specialty food of Yunnan, made from glutinous rice. After steaming, it is kneaded into a flatbread shape and set aside. Erkuai can be cooked in various ways, such as roasting, stir-frying, steaming, and deep-frying. Among them, roasted Erkuai and Tengchong stir-fried Erkuai are particularly famous. Roasted Erkuai is roasted until the surface is golden brown, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Tengchong stir-fried Erkuai, also known as "Da Jiu Jia," is made by slicing Erkuai and stir-frying it with tomatoes, eggs, cabbage, etc., resulting in a fresh, fragrant, smooth, and non-greasy taste.
Yunnan Cuisine - Tengchong Fried Rice Cake (Da Jiu Jia)No. 4 Xuanwei Ham
Xuanwei ham is a specialty food of Xuanwei, Yunnan. Its production process is quite meticulous. Fresh pork hind legs are salted and cured, then smoked and aged for several months, resulting in a unique flavor. The meat is tender, with a perfect balance of lean and fat, and a rich, salty aroma, earning it the reputation of being "the finest of hams." Whether eaten raw or cooked, Xuanwei ham has an excellent taste.
No. 5 Flower Cake
Flower cakes are a famous specialty snack in Yunnan Province, made from glutinous rice flour and edible flowers, with roses being the most common. Other fillings include chrysanthemums and peanuts. A well-made Yunnan flower cake has a crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior. One bite releases a burst of floral fragrance, a smooth and creamy texture, and a sweet but not cloying flavor.
Yunnan cuisine - flower cakesNo. 6 Tofu with a crispy skin
Baojiang Tofu is a common specialty food in Yunnan. It is made from fresh, tender tofu as the main ingredient, and cooked with soy sauce, minced garlic, cilantro and other seasonings. It has an appealing color and a smooth texture. It can also be grilled directly. Served with chili sauce, it is fresh, tender and spicy.
No. 7 Steamed Chicken in a Clay Pot
Steamed chicken in a clay pot is a traditional dish from Yunnan. It is cooked in a unique way, where tender chicken, Yunnan medicinal herbs, ginger, scallions, and various seasonings are placed in a special earthenware pot with small vertical holes in the center and steamed for several hours. A delicious and nutritious steamed chicken is then ready.
Yunnan cuisine - Steamed Chicken in a Clay PotNo. 8 Small Pot Rice Noodles
Compared to the elaborate and complex way of eating Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, Small Pot Rice Noodles are simpler and more convenient to make. Rice noodles, minced meat, vegetables and other ingredients are cooked in a small pot made of red copper. The rice noodles are chewy and delicious, and the soup is rich and flavorful. It is a Yunnan specialty dish with excellent color, aroma and taste.
No.9 Fresh Fish and Lamb
Fish and Lamb Stew is a unique delicacy from Lijiang, Yunnan. It is made by simmering fresh fish and local black goat meat with various spices and seasonings. The soup is rich and fragrant, and the meat is tender and juicy. It is very nutritious and suitable for the elderly and children.
No. 10 Yiliang Roast Duck
Yiliang roast duck is a famous traditional delicacy in Yiliang, Yunnan. It is made from local ducks as the main ingredient, which are marinated and roasted. The duck skin is crispy and delicious, the meat is tender and juicy, and the color is golden and shiny, which is very tempting.
No. 11 Zhanyi Spicy Chicken
Zhanyi Spicy Chicken is a specialty dish from Zhanyi and Qujing in Yunnan Province. It is made by cutting chicken into pieces and stir-frying it with chili peppers, garlic, scallions and other seasonings. It has a fresh and rich flavor and a spicy but not greasy taste. It is one of the most popular dishes to eat with rice in Yunnan.
Yunnan cuisine: Zhanyi spicy chickenNo. 12 Xizhou Baba
Xizhou Baba is a unique traditional snack from Dali, Yunnan. The main ingredient is wheat flour. It comes in two flavors: savory and sweet. The savory version is made with scallions, salt, and minced meat, while the sweet version is made with brown sugar. It has a crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior, making it extremely delicious.
Yunnan Cuisine - Xizhou BabaYunnan boasts a wide variety of mushrooms, making wild mushroom hot pot a famous local specialty. This type of hot pot features a clear, flavorful broth without any seasoning, relying entirely on the natural umami of the wild mushrooms, and is highly nutritious. However, it's important to strictly adhere to the cooking times for wild mushrooms to ensure the safety of every bite.
No. 14 Lijiang Baba
Lijiang Baba is a specialty snack of Yunnan, made from glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and other ingredients. It has a flat, round shape, a soft and chewy texture, and a sweet and delicious taste. Lijiang Baba is usually served during festivals and is a traditional pastry that locals love.
Dai hand-grabbed rice is a traditional dish of the Dai ethnic minority in Yunnan. It is made primarily with glutinous rice, mixed with minced meat, eggs, coriander, and other ingredients. It is named "hand-grabbed rice" because it is eaten by hand. It has a delicate and sticky texture and a rich and delicious flavor, making it one of the most popular dishes among the Dai people.
Yunnan Cuisine - Dai Ethnic Hand-Grabbed RiceNo. 16 Lemongrass Grilled Fish
Lemongrass grilled fish is a specialty of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. It is made by marinating a whole fresh fish with lemongrass, lemon, ginger, garlic, chili and other ingredients, and then grilling it over a fire. The fish is tender and juicy with a light grassy aroma, making it very delicious.