Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
1. Chaozhou Moonlight Orange Cake (肇庆月白饼)
A traditional dessert made from glutinous rice flour and sugar, with a unique moon-shaped design. Its soft texture and delicate sweetness make it a must-try.
- Traditional Recipe: Preserves the original recipe passed down through generations.
- Unique Design: Features a moon-shaped design that symbolizes roundness and completeness, reflecting Chaozhou's culture and history.
- Soft Texture: The cake has a unique soft texture that melts in your mouth.
2. Chaozhou Pork Puff (肇庆猪肉角)
A crispy and flaky pastry filled with tender pork meat. The sweet and savory flavors make it a favorite among locals.
- Crispy Pastry: The outer layer of the puff is thin, crispy, and flaky.
- Tender Pork Filling: The filling consists of tender, juicy pork that has been marinated and slow-cooked to perfection.
- Sweet and Savory Flavors: A harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that appeal to a wide range of taste buds.
3. Chaozhou Fried Oyster Omelette (肇庆炒蚵仔煎)
A popular street food made by mixing oysters, eggs, and bean sprouts, fried together in a thin crepe. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce and chili for a delicious twist.
- Fresh Oysters: Uses fresh oysters sourced from the local sea, ensuring a fresh and flavorful dish.
- Crispy Texture: The crepe is thin and crispy, providing a satisfying texture contrast with the tender oysters.
- Spicy Seasoning: Can be seasoned with chili for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
4. Chaozhou Pig's Feet in Soy Sauce (肇庆醬豬足)
A traditional dish made from pig's feet slow-cooked in a sweet and savory soy sauce. The tender meat and gelatinous texture make it a unique culinary experience.
- Slow-Cooked: The pig's feet are slow-cooked for several hours, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
- Unique Texture: The gelatinous texture of the pig's feet is a characteristic that sets this dish apart.
- Sweet and Savory Sauce: The sauce is sweet, salty, and savory, complementing the flavor of the pig's feet.
5. Chaozhou Fried Rice Noodles (肇庆炒米粉)
A stir-fried dish made from thin rice noodles, vegetables, and your choice of protein. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Thin Rice Noodles: The thin rice noodles have a unique texture that absorbs the flavors of the dish.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
6. Chaozhou Fried Tofu (肇庆炒豆腐)
A stir-fried dish made from cubed tofu, vegetables, and your choice of protein. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Cubed Tofu: The cubed tofu absorbs the flavors of the dish well.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
7. Chaozhou Shrimp Ball Soup (肇庆蝦圓湯)
A hearty soup made from shrimp balls, vegetables, and noodles. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Shrimp Balls: The shrimp balls are made from ground shrimp and tapioca flour, giving them a unique texture.
- Hearty Soup: The soup is filling and nourishing, perfect for a cold day.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every sip enjoyable.
8. Chaozhou Oyster Omelette (肇庆蚵仔煎)
A dish made by mixing oysters, eggs, and bean sprouts, fried together in a thin crepe. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce and chili for a delicious twist.
- Fresh Oysters: Uses fresh oysters sourced from the local sea, ensuring a fresh and flavorful dish.
- Crispy Texture: The crepe is thin and crispy, providing a satisfying texture contrast with the tender oysters.
- Spicy Seasoning: Can be seasoned with chili for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
9. Chaozhou Fried Soybeans (肇庆炒豆腐粉)
A stir-fried dish made from soybeans, vegetables, and your choice of protein. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Soybeans: The soybeans provide a unique texture and nutty flavor.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
10. Chaozhou Steamed Fish with Ginger and Green Onions (肇庆薑烧魚)
A simple dish made by steaming fish with ginger and green onions. The natural flavors of the fish are enhanced by the aromatic ginger and onions.
- Fresh Fish: Uses fresh fish caught locally, ensuring a fresh and flavorful dish.
- Aromatic Ginger and Onions: The ginger and onions provide an aromatic flavor that complements the fish perfectly.
- Simple Preparation: The dish is simply steamed, preserving the natural flavors of the fish.
11. Chaozhou Fried Rice (肇庆炒饭)
A stir-fried dish made from rice, vegetables, and your choice of protein. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
- Simple Preparation: The dish is simply stir-fried, making it quick and easy to prepare.
12. Chaozhou Fried Tofu with Green Beans (肇庆炒豆腐绿豆角)
A stir-fried dish made from cubed tofu, green beans, and seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Cubed Tofu: The cubed tofu absorbs the flavors of the dish well.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
13. Chaozhou Braised Eel (肇庆煮鱯)
A traditional dish made from eels that are braised in a sweet and savory sauce. The tender meat and unique flavor make it a delicacy.
- Tender Meat: The eel's meat is tender and easy to eat.
- Unique Flavor: The dish has a unique flavor that is a mix of sweet, savory, and umami.
- Sweet and Savory Sauce: The sauce is sweet, salty, and savory, complementing the flavor of the eel.
14. Chaozhou Fried Noodles with Shrimp (肇庆炒蝦麵)
A stir-fried dish made from noodles, shrimp, vegetables, and seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
- Fresh Shrimp: Uses fresh shrimp sourced from the local sea, ensuring a fresh and flavorful dish.
- Versatile Ingredients: The dish can be customized with various vegetables and noodles, catering to individual preferences.
- Balanced Flavors: A perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that make every bite enjoyable.
15. Chaozhou Roasted Duck (肇庆烤鸭)
A traditional dish made from roasted duck. The crispy skin and tender meat make it a delicious and flavorful dish.
- Crispy Skin: The duck's skin is crispy, providing a satisfying texture contrast with the tender meat.
- Tender Meat: The duck meat is tender and juicy.
- Unique Flavor: The dish has a unique flavor that is a mix of savory, umami, and slightly sweet.