Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Jinhua, China

1. Jinhua Ham (金华哈密羊肉)

Famous for its unique curing process, Jinhua Ham is a delicious and tender dish that's a must-try in Jinhua.

Curing Process: Uses traditional, secretive salting and air-drying method.
Taste Profile: Combines sweet, salty, and slightly bitter flavors.
Local Specialty: Designated as a protected geographical indication by the Chinese government.

A popular dish consisting of various stuffed tofu and vegetable items in a rich broth, Yong Tau Fu showcases Jinhua's culinary creativity.

Stuffed Ingredients: Features a variety of ingredients such as fish balls, tofu pockets, and vegetable fillings.
Broth Flavor: Boiled in a spicy, aromatic broth made with chili oil, garlic, and soy sauce.
Versatility: Each region has its own unique style and ingredients for this dish.

Delicate and flavorful fish balls made from minced fish and tapioca starch, a Jinhua street food favorite.

Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced fish to make the filling.
Texture: Chewy and bouncy texture that's pleasing to eat.
Seasonings: Served with a flavorful dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.

A hearty dish featuring thin rice noodles served with various toppings and a flavorful sauce, perfect for breakfast or lunch.

Noodle Type: Thin rice noodles made from glutinous rice flour.
Toppings: Includes ingredients such as braised pork, shrimp, and vegetables.
Sauce: Made with a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and garlic.

Soft and fluffy sweet potato buns filled with a sweet, smooth, and creamy sweet potato paste.

A type of steamed bread that's soft and chewy, often eaten as a snack or paired with various fillings.

Ingredients: Made from wheat flour, yeast, sugar, and water.
Steaming Process: Steamed for a specific amount of time to achieve the perfect texture.
Fillings: Can be filled with sweet red bean paste, savory meat fillings, or other ingredients.

Sweet glutinous rice balls filled with a sweet filling and served in a fragrant ginger soup.

Filling: Typically filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or peanut butter.
Ginger Soup: Served in a clear ginger soup that adds a refreshing flavor to the dish.
Seasonal Variations: Features seasonal ingredients like osmanthus flowers or jujube dates.

A variety of pickled vegetables that are tangy, crisp, and an essential side dish in Jinhua cuisine.

Ingredients: Uses a variety of local vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbage, and bamboo shoots.
Pickling Method: Pickled using a combination of salt, rice vinegar, sugar, and various spices.
Taste Profile: The pickles are sour, slightly sweet, and have a spicy kick.

Slow-cooked pork belly that melts in your mouth and is served with a soy sauce based gravy.

Cooking Method: Cooked by simmering the pork belly for several hours until tender.
Gravy: Served with a flavorful gravy made from soy sauce, sugar, and star anise.
Taste Profile: The pork has a rich, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Cold noodle dish served with a variety of toppings and a vinegar-based sauce.

Noodle Type: Thin, chewy rice noodles.
Toppings: Includes ingredients like cucumbers, tofu, and pickled vegetables.
Sauce: Vinegar-based sauce with a hint of spiciness from chili oil.

Fermented tofu dish with a strong smell but delightful taste when served hot with chili sauce.

Ingredients: Made from fermented tofu.
Smell: Has a strong, pungent smell due to the fermentation process.
Taste Profile: The tofu is firm on the outside and soft in the inside with a slightly chewy texture.

Fried dumplings filled with a savory pork and vegetable filling served with vinegar and soy sauce.

Filling: Made with ground pork, vegetables, and seasonings.
Shape: Crescent-shaped dumplings that are crispy on the outside and filled with a juicy filling.
Dipping Sauce: Served with a vinegar and soy sauce mixture for added flavor.

A stir-fried noodle dish served with various vegetables, meat, and a savory sauce.

Noodle Type: Made from wheat flour and egg noodles.
Ingredients: Typically includes ingredients like beef, vegetables, and bean sprouts.
Sauce: Coated with a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic.

A thin, crispy pancake filled with a sweet, syrupy filling.

Ingredients: Made from wheat flour and sugar.
Filling: Filled with a sweet, syrupy filling made from sugar and water.
Texture: The pancake is thin, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.

A hearty soup dish featuring rice balls filled with pork and served in a flavorful broth.

Rice Balls: Made from glutinous rice, filled with pork.
Broth: Served in a flavorful broth made from pork bones, vegetables, and seasonings.
Texture: The rice balls are chewy and the meat filling is tender.