
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Jixi, Heilongjiang, China
1. Jixi Fried Pork Belly (吉次炸肉)
A popular dish made with tender pork belly slices, seasoned and deep-fried to perfection. Try it at the local eatery Xiaobai Snack Street.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses locally sourced pork belly, which gives it a distinct flavor
- Preparation Method: The double-frying process ensures a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Local Flavor: A must-try dish that showcases the culinary traditions of Jixi.
2. Jixi Braised Fish Head (吉次炖鱼头)
A hearty dish featuring fish head cooked in a fragrant broth with mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Find it at the restaurant Yonghe Seafood.
- Ingredient Quality: Fresh fish heads sourced daily from local fisheries.
- Cooking Technique: Slow-braising method allows the flavors to meld together for a rich taste.
- Local Ingredients: Incorporates locally grown mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
3. Jixi Wild Boar Stew (吉次野豬燉)
A traditional dish made with wild boar meat slow-cooked in a flavorful stew. Sample it at the restaurant Shuangliu Restaurant.
- Ingredient Source: Uses sustainably sourced wild boar meat, hunted in the nearby forests.
- Cooking Technique: Slow-cooked for several hours to tenderize the meat and infuse the flavors.
- Local Tradition: A dish that has been a part of Jixi's culinary heritage for centuries.
4. Jixi Mushroom Rice (吉次蘑菇饭)
A vegetarian dish made with a variety of locally grown mushrooms cooked in rice. You can find it at the restaurant Yunji Vegetarian.
- Ingredient Variety: Features multiple types of local mushrooms, each with its unique flavor and texture.
- Cooking Technique: The mushrooms are stir-fried before being mixed with the rice.
- Local Ingredients: Uses only local, fresh mushrooms and rice.
5. Jixi Spicy Soybean Noodles (吉次辣酱面)
A spicy dish made with handmade noodles served in a savory soybean sauce. Try it at the street vendor Luobu Alley.
- Handmade Noodles: Freshly made noodles are pulled and cut to order.
- Spiciness Level: Adjustable spiciness level, from mild to very spicy.
- Local Flavor: A dish that showcases the fiery side of Jixi's culinary scene.
6. Jixi Bamboo Tube Rice (吉次竹筒饭)
A unique dish where sticky rice is steamed in bamboo tubes. Find it at the local eatery Xiaohe Snack Street.
- Preparation Method: The rice is cooked inside bamboo tubes, which adds a natural flavor.
- Local Ingredient: Uses locally grown sticky rice.
- Presentation: Served in the bamboo tube it was cooked in, making for an Instagram-worthy dish.
7. Jixi Smoked Fish (吉次冶鱼)
A traditional dish made by smoking fish over open flames. Sample it at the market Zhongshan Market.
- Smoking Method: Smoked over open flames for a distinctive flavor.
- Ingredient Quality: Fresh fish sourced daily from local fisheries.
- Local Tradition: A dish that showcases the ancient smoking techniques of Jixi.
8. Jixi Glutinous Rice Balls (吉次粘米圓)
Sweet rice balls filled with sesame paste or red bean paste. You can find them at the street vendor Xiaoyu Alley.
- Filling Options: Choose between sesame paste or red bean paste filling.
- Preparation Method: The rice balls are steamed and then tossed in sugar syrup.
- Local Snack: A popular street snack that's a sweet treat after a long day of exploration.
9. Jixi Steamed Dumplings (吉次鮮汤餃)
Delicate dumplings filled with fresh seafood and steamed to perfection. Try them at the restaurant Fuhe Restaurant.
- Fresh Ingredients: Uses only the freshest seafood sourced daily from local fisheries.
- Cooking Method: Steamed instead of fried, allowing the flavors to shine through.
- Local Cuisine: A dish that embodies Jixi's seafood-focused culinary scene.
10. Jixi Pickled Vegetables (吉次酱菜)
A side dish made with various vegetables pickled in brine. Try it at the restaurant Yonghe Seafood.
- Ingredient Variety: Features a mix of local vegetables, such as cucumbers, radishes, and bamboo shoots.
- Preparation Method: Vegetables are pickled in brine for several days to achieve the perfect tangy flavor.
- Local Ingredients: Uses locally grown vegetables for a fresh taste.
11. Jixi Barbecued Quail (吉次烤鸡豹)
A dish featuring tender quail meat grilled over open flames. Try it at the street vendor Luobu Alley.
- Ingredient Quality: Uses locally sourced, fresh quails.
- Cooking Method: Grilled over open flames for a smoky flavor.
- Local Snack: A popular street snack that showcases the culinary traditions of Jixi.
12. Jixi Hot Pot (吉次火鍋)
A communal dish where various ingredients are cooked in a simmering pot of broth. Try it at the restaurant Shuangliu Restaurant.
- Ingredient Variety: Offers an array of ingredients, such as seafood, meat, and vegetables.
- Broth Options: Choose from multiple broth options, like spicy, clear, or tomato.
- Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced ingredients to ensure freshness and flavor.
13. Jixi Sweet Rice Balls in Syrup (吉次糯米圓)
Sweet rice balls served in a sweet syrup. Find them at the street vendor Xiaoyu Alley.
- Filling Options: Choose between red bean or sesame paste filling.
- Preparation Method: The rice balls are steamed and then tossed in sweet syrup.
- Local Snack: A popular street snack that's a sweet treat after a long day of exploration.
14. Jixi Mushroom Hot Pot (吉次蘑菇火鍋)
A vegetarian dish where various types of local mushrooms are cooked in a simmering pot of broth. Try it at the restaurant Yunji Vegetarian.
- Ingredient Variety: Features multiple types of local mushrooms, each with its unique flavor and texture.
- Broth Options: Choose from multiple broth options, like spicy or clear.
- Local Ingredients: Uses only local, fresh mushrooms and vegetables.
15. Jixi Stewed Pork Intestines (吉次豬肾燉)
A hearty dish made with pork intestines slow-cooked in a flavorful broth. Try it at the restaurant Shuangliu Restaurant.
- Ingredient Source: Uses locally sourced pork intestines, ensuring a fresh taste.
- Cooking Technique: Slow-cooked for several hours to tenderize the meat and infuse the flavors.
- Local Tradition: A dish that showcases the culinary traditions of Jixi.