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

1. Putian Lobster

Delicious salt-baked lobster from the Minjiang River, known for its tender meat and unique briny flavor.

River Fresh: Directly sourced from the Minjiang River, ensuring freshness.
Traditional Preparation: Cooked using a traditional method of salting and baking in oyster shells.
Seasonal Availability: Available from October to May due to the seasonal nature of the river's lobster population.

Crispy oyster pancake made from local oysters and rice flour, served with a spicy sauce.

Local Oysters: Uses fresh Minjiang River oysters, known for their unique taste.
Spicy Sauce: Served with a homemade chili sauce that enhances the flavor of the pancake.
Street Food: Best enjoyed at street vendors, offering an authentic experience.

Famous wontons filled with minced shrimp and pork, served in a fragrant broth.

Handmade Wrappers: Dumpling wrappers made fresh daily using traditional methods.
Fresh Ingredients: Uses high-quality local seafood and vegetables.
Fragrant Broth: Served in a flavorful broth made from pork bones, chicken, and spices.

Tender braised pig feet cooked in a soy sauce and wine sauce, served with rice.

Slow-Cooked: Simmered for several hours to achieve maximum tenderness.
Unique Texture: The chewy texture of the pig feet provides a unique eating experience.
Local Flavor: Infused with local spices and ingredients, such as star anise and ginger.

Thick rice noodles served in a clear broth with shrimp, pork, and vegetables.

Whole fish steamed with ginger, green onions, and soy sauce.

Fresh Fish: Uses fresh fish caught daily in the Minjiang River.
Traditional Cooking Method: Steamed using a traditional method, enhancing the natural flavor of the fish.
Simple Seasonings: Seasoned with just ginger, green onions, and soy sauce, letting the freshness of the fish shine through.

Crispy fried rice cakes made from glutinous rice flour, served with soy sauce and pickled vegetables.

Glutinous Rice Flour: Made using glutinous rice flour for a chewy texture.
Unique Shape: Formed into square or round shapes, making it easy to eat with chopsticks.
Pickled Vegetables: Served with pickled vegetables for a tangy contrast to the crispy rice cakes.

Fresh shrimp wrapped in bean curd sheets and deep-fried, served with a sweet and sour sauce.

Fermented tofu made from soybeans, with a unique tangy flavor.

Fermentation Process: Made using a traditional fermentation process that gives it its distinct flavor.
Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced soybeans for the tofu.
Tangy Flavor: Has a unique tangy flavor due to the fermentation process.

Soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with seasoned minced pork.

Soft and Fluffy Buns: Made with a soft, fluffy dough that melts in your mouth.
Minced Pork Filling: Filled with juicy, flavorful minced pork.
Steamed Preparation: Prepared by steaming, preserving the freshness and moisture of the filling.

Tender tea-smoked duck served with a sweet sauce.

Tea-Smoking Process: Smoked using tea leaves, imparting a unique flavor.
Tender Meat: Cooked to perfection, ensuring tender and juicy meat.
Sweet Sauce: Accompanied by a sweet sauce that complements the smoky flavor of the duck.

Soft steamed buns filled with savory pork paste.

Soft Buns: Made with a soft, fluffy dough that melts in your mouth.
Savory Pork Paste: Filled with a savory pork paste made from minced pork and seasonings.
Steamed Preparation: Prepared by steaming, preserving the freshness and moisture of the filling.

Thick, savory pancake made from sweet potatoes, served with a soy sauce and pickled vegetables.

Sweet Potatoes: Made using locally grown sweet potatoes.
Thick Pancake: Thick, hearty pancake that is perfect for a filling meal.
Soy Sauce and Pickled Vegetables: Accompanied by soy sauce and pickled vegetables for dipping.

Fluffy omelette filled with local oysters, served with a sweet and sour sauce.

Local Oysters: Uses fresh Minjiang River oysters.
Fluffy Omelette: Has a light, fluffy texture that complements the tender oysters.
Sweet and Sour Sauce: Accompanied by a sweet and sour sauce for dipping.

Soft buns filled with pork floss, a dried, shredded form of cooked pork.

Pork Floss Filling: Filled with flavorful pork floss made from slow-cooked pork.
Soft Buns: Made with a soft, fluffy dough that melts in your mouth.
Versatile Snack: A popular snack or quick meal option.