Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Lu’an, China

1. Lu'an Braised Pork Belly (庐安红烧肉)

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce, served with rice. A must-try Lu'an specialty.

Unique Ingredients: Uses Lu'an-grown ginger and star anise.
Cooking Technique: Traditional slow-cooking method ensures tenderness and depth of flavor.
Local Heritage: Preserves the rich culinary tradition of Lu'an.

Delicate dumplings filled with savory soup, steamed to perfection. Best enjoyed hot.

Steaming Technique: Unique steaming method keeps the dough light and tender.
Filling: Features locally sourced pork and vegetables.
Taste Experience: Experience the joy of biting into a dumpling, and finding hot soup inside.

Sticky rice balls filled with sweet or savory fillings, perfect for snacking.

Filling Variety: Offers a variety of fillings such as red bean paste and ground pork.
Texture: Chewy, sticky rice exterior with a tender filling.
Traditional Preparation: Prepared using traditional Lu'an methods.

Tender eel fillets stewed in a light soy sauce and served with rice. A popular local dish.

Ingredient: Uses fresh, locally caught eels.
Cooking Technique: Steaming method ensures the eel retains its tender texture.
Flavor Profile: Delicate, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness from the sauce.

Thin, translucent noodles stir-fried with a variety of vegetables and proteins.

Noodle Type: Unique glass-like texture of the noodles.
Flavor Profile: Versatile dish, can be prepared with a wide variety of seasonings.
Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced vegetables and proteins.

Variety of pickled vegetables such as cucumbers and carrots, prepared using a unique Lu'an recipe.

Pickling Technique: Uses a special Lu'an pickling method for optimal flavor.
Taste Experience: Sour, tangy, and slightly spicy, perfect as a side dish or snack.
Health Benefits: Fermented vegetables are rich in probiotics and beneficial enzymes.

Thin rice noodles wrapped around a filling of vegetables and proteins, served with black bean sauce.

Noodle Type: Thin, soft rice noodles make for an enjoyable eating experience.
Filling Variety: Offers a variety of fillings such as vegetables, meat, and seafood.
Sauce: Black bean sauce adds depth of flavor to the dish.

Hearty soup made with fish head and various vegetables, perfect for a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredient: Uses fresh, locally caught fish heads.
Cooking Technique: Slow-cooked to allow flavors to develop and meld together.
Nutritional Value: Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients.

Rice cakes stir-fried with a variety of vegetables and proteins, served hot.

Noodle Type: Unique texture of the rice cake noodles.
Flavor Profile: Versatile dish, can be prepared with a wide variety of seasonings.
Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced vegetables and proteins.

Gluten sticks fried until crispy, often served with vegetables and a dipping sauce.

Texture: Crispy exterior, chewy interior.
Flavor Profile: Savory and slightly sweet flavor from the dipping sauce.
Taste Experience: Enjoy the crunch of the gluten sticks, followed by the soft, chewy interior.

Tender duck cooked with a sweet and tangy orange sauce, served over rice.

Ingredient: Uses locally raised ducks.
Cooking Technique: Braising method ensures the duck remains tender and flavorful.
Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce complements the duck.

Cold noodles tossed with a spicy sauce and various vegetables.

Texture: Cold, slippery noodles provide a refreshing eating experience.
Spiciness Level: Adjustable spiciness level to cater to individual tastes.
Taste Experience: The combination of cold, spicy, and slightly sour flavors creates a unique taste sensation.

Soft steamed buns filled with various savory fillings such as pork, vegetables, or seafood.

Dough: Soft, tender dough wraps around the filling.
Filling Variety: Offers a variety of fillings to cater to different tastes.
Taste Experience: Enjoy the soft, steamed bun and the savory filling in one bite.

Sweet cake made with glutinous rice flour and fragrant osmanthus flowers.

Ingredient: Uses locally grown osmanthus flowers.
Texture: Soft, sticky texture with a delicate flavor.
Taste Experience: Experience the sweet, floral taste of the osmanthus flowers in each bite.

Thin pancake filled with a savory filling and deep-fried until crispy.

Texture: Crispy exterior, soft interior.
Filling Variety: Offers a variety of fillings such as vegetables and proteins.
Taste Experience: Enjoy the crispy pancake and the savory filling in one bite.