Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Dingzhou, China
1. Dingzhou Roast Duck
Delicious duck dish slow-roasted to perfection, famous for its tender meat and crispy skin. Try it at the local specialty restaurant: Xiang's Roast Duck.
- Unique Cooking Technique: Ducks are hung to dry before roasting, enhancing the flavor.
- Tender Meat: The slow-roasting process makes the meat exceptionally tender.
- Crispy Skin: The skin is crispy, yet not overly greasy.
2. Wheat-Flour Noodles with Mutton Gravy
Handmade noodles served in a rich mutton gravy. Savor this hearty dish at the bustling Huang's Noodle Shop.
- Handmade Noodles: Noodles are freshly made daily, giving them a unique texture.
- Rich Mutton Gravy: Gravy is slow-cooked with tender mutton for hours, enriching its flavor.
- Bustling Atmosphere: Huang's Noodle Shop has a lively atmosphere, adding to the dining experience.
3. Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish
Fresh fish coated in a sweet-and-sour sauce, served with pineapple chunks. Enjoy this dish at the picturesque Lei Garden Restaurant.
- Fresh Fish: Lei Garden Restaurant sources fresh fish daily.
- Sweet-and-Sour Sauce: The sauce is made with a unique blend of fruits and spices.
- Picturesque Location: Lei Garden Restaurant offers scenic views of Dingzhou's countryside.
4. Spicy Eel with Chillies
Fried eel served in a spicy sauce made from local chillies. Visit the vibrant Li's Spicy Seafood Restaurant to try this dish.
- Local Chillies: The spiciness comes from Dingzhou's locally grown chillies.
- Fried Eel: Eels are fried to a crispy texture, contrasting with the spicy sauce.
- Vibrant Atmosphere: Li's Spicy Seafood Restaurant has an energetic and lively atmosphere.
5. Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables
Slow-braised pork belly served with pickled vegetables. This classic dish can be found at the traditional Li Family Inn.
- Slow-Braised Pork Belly: The pork belly is slow-braised to tender perfection.
- Pickled Vegetables: Preserved vegetables add a tangy flavor to the dish.
- Traditional Atmosphere: The Li Family Inn offers a traditional dining experience.
6. Steamed Rice Cake with Mushrooms
Soft and sticky rice cakes steamed with various types of mushrooms. Try this dish at the charming Chen's Steaming House.
- Variety of Mushrooms: Chen's Steaming House uses a variety of fresh, locally sourced mushrooms.
- Soft and Sticky Texture: The rice cakes have a unique soft and sticky texture.
- Charming Atmosphere: Chen's Steaming House is housed in an old, beautifully restored building.
7. Fried Tofu with Soybean Milk
Crispy fried tofu served with a side of fresh soybean milk. This dish is best enjoyed at the bustling Tian Tou Tofu Shop.
- Crispy Fried Tofu: The tofu is fried to a perfect crispiness.
- Fresh Soybean Milk: Soybean milk is freshly made and pairs well with the tofu.
- Bustling Atmosphere: Tian Tou Tofu Shop has a bustling atmosphere, especially during breakfast hours.
8. Salted Vegetable and Pork Dumplings
Fresh dumplings filled with salted vegetables and minced pork. These can be found at the popular Liang's Dumpling House.
- Salted Vegetables: The dumplings contain locally sourced salted vegetables.
- Minced Pork: The minced pork is lean and well-seasoned.
- Popular Location: Liang's Dumpling House is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike.
9. Stir-Fried Lamb with Ginger and Green Pepper
Tender lamb stir-fried with fresh green peppers and ginger. This dish is best enjoyed at the elegant Xia Garden Restaurant.
- Tender Lamb: The lamb is tender, making it easy to eat.
- Fresh Green Peppers: Green peppers add a crisp texture and fresh flavor.
- Elegant Atmosphere: Xia Garden Restaurant offers an elegant dining experience with scenic views.
10. Spicy Shrimp with Szechuan Peppercorns
Fresh shrimp cooked in a spicy sauce made with Szechuan peppercorns. Try this dish at the lively Wang's Spice House.
- Fresh Shrimp: Wang's Spice House uses fresh, locally sourced shrimp.
- Szechuan Peppercorns: The peppercorns add a unique numbing sensation to the dish.
- Lively Atmosphere: Wang's Spice House has a lively atmosphere, especially during dinner hours.
11. Braised Pork with Garlic and Chives
Tender pork braised in a garlicky sauce with fresh chives. This dish can be found at the classic Zhang's Kitchen.
- Tender Pork: The pork is tender, making it easy to eat.
- Garlicky Sauce: The sauce is rich in garlic flavor.
- Classic Atmosphere: Zhang's Kitchen offers a classic dining experience reminiscent of old Dingzhou.
12. Stewed Chicken with Ginger and Green Onions
Tender chicken stewed with ginger and green onions. This dish is best enjoyed at the cozy Mei's Home Cooking Restaurant.
- Tender Chicken: The chicken is tender, making it easy to eat.
- Ginger and Green Onions: Ginger and green onions add a zesty flavor to the dish.
- Cozy Atmosphere: Mei's Home Cooking Restaurant has a cozy, home-like atmosphere.
13. Fish Head Soup with Bamboo Shoots
Delicious soup made with fish heads and bamboo shoots. This dish is best enjoyed at the rustic Zhu's Fish House.
- Fish Heads: The fish heads add a rich flavor to the soup.
- Bamboo Shoots: Bamboo shoots add a crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
- Rustic Atmosphere: Zhu's Fish House offers a rustic, traditional atmosphere.
14. Stir-Fried Water Shield with Oyster Sauce
Water shield leaves stir-fried with a savory oyster sauce. This dish can be found at the trendy Xu's Stir Fry.
- Water Shield Leaves: Water shield leaves are unique to Dingzhou and have a mild, earthy flavor.
- Oyster Sauce: The oyster sauce adds a savory, umami flavor to the dish.
- Trendy Atmosphere: Xu's Stir Fry has a trendy, modern atmosphere.
15. Sesame Seed Ball with Red Bean Paste
Sweet dessert made of dough filled with red bean paste and coated in sesame seeds. Enjoy this treat at the charming Tang's Sweets Shop.
- Red Bean Paste: The sweet red bean paste is made fresh daily.
- Sesame Seeds: The sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Charming Atmosphere: Tang's Sweets Shop has a charming, old-fashioned atmosphere.