Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Dandong, Liaoning, China

1. Kuagu SEO

A unique rice cake made from glutinous rice, filled with sweet red bean paste or sesame paste. It's a must-try for those with a sweet tooth.

Traditional Recipe: Prepared using a traditional Dandong recipe passed down through generations.
Unique Texture: The chewy, sticky texture of the rice cake is unlike any other dessert.
Flavor Variety: Offers a choice between sweet red bean paste or sesame paste filling.

A popular dish made from thin rice noodles served in a clear broth with various ingredients such as fish balls, vegetables, and minced pork.

Local Broth: The broth is unique to Dandong and is made from local ingredients.
Fresh Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients for an authentic taste.
Healthy Option: A lighter alternative to heavier noodle dishes due to the clear broth.

Thick, hand-pulled noodles served in a rich, flavorful sauce with your choice of meat or vegetables.

Handmade Noodles: The noodles are made fresh and by hand, ensuring a unique texture.
Rich Sauce: The sauce is rich and flavorful, making the dish particularly satisfying.
Customizable: Can be customized with a variety of meats or vegetables.

Whole duck deep-fried to perfection and served with fresh cucumber and sweet bean sauce.

Crispy Skin: The skin is incredibly crispy, contrasting the tender, juicy meat.
Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced ducks for an authentic taste.
Fresh Cucumber: The fresh cucumber provides a refreshing counterbalance to the rich, savory duck.

Whole fish cooked in beer and served with soy sauce and scallions. The beer gives the fish a unique flavor.

Unique Cooking Method: The fish is cooked using a local method involving beer.
Fresh Fish: Uses fresh, locally caught fish for an authentic taste.
Versatile Dish: Can be enjoyed as a main course or shared among friends.

Delicious dumplings filled with meat and vegetables, served with a tangy vinegar dipping sauce.

Homemade Wrappers: The wrappers are made fresh and by hand, giving the dumplings a unique texture.
Flavorful Filling: The filling is flavorful and well-seasoned, ensuring each bite is delicious.
Vinegar Dipping Sauce: The tangy vinegar dipping sauce complements the dumplings perfectly.

Fermented tofu with a strong odor, but a delicious taste when served hot and spicy.

Strong Flavor: The stinky tofu has a strong flavor that is both pungent and delicious.
Local Specialty: A local specialty and must-try for any visitor to Dandong.
Spicy Option: Can be made spicy for those who enjoy a kick.

Cold noodles served with a tangy vinegar dressing and topped with pickled vegetables.

Refreshing: A refreshing dish perfect for hot summer days.
Unique Taste: The tangy vinegar dressing and pickled vegetables give the noodles a unique taste.
Quick Service: Can be prepared quickly, making it a convenient option for busy travelers.

Sticky rice balls served in a clear soup with various ingredients such as fish balls, vegetables, and mushrooms.

Comfort Food: A comforting dish perfect for cold winter days.
Versatile Ingredients: Can be customized with a variety of ingredients to suit your taste.
Warming Soup: The soup is warming and filling, making it ideal for cold weather.

A thick, savory pancake made from sweet potato flour, often served with soy sauce and scallions.

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce.

Melt-in-your-mouth Tenderness: The pork belly is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth.
Rich Flavor: The rich, flavorful sauce enhances the taste of the pork belly.
Slow-cooked: Slow-cooked to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.

A soft, fluffy bun filled with sweet red bean paste.

Soft and Fluffy: The bun is incredibly soft and fluffy.
Sweet Filling: The sweet red bean paste filling is a delightful surprise inside the bun.
Traditional Snack: A traditional snack perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Dumplings filled with meat and vegetables, boiled and served with a vinegar dipping sauce.

Tender Filling: The filling is tender and well-seasoned.
Vinegar Dipping Sauce: The tangy vinegar dipping sauce complements the dumplings perfectly.
Traditional Food: A traditional dish and must-try for any visitor to Dandong.

A hearty soup made with fish, vegetables, and a tangy vinegar sauce.

Tangy Flavor: The tangy flavor of the vinegar sauce gives the soup a unique taste.
Nutritious Meal: A nutritious meal filled with protein and vegetables.
Warming Soup: The soup is warming and filling, making it ideal for cold weather.

A popular breakfast beverage made from soybeans.