Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Wuxi, Hunan, China
1. Wuxi Fried Rice Crab (Wuxi Huagao Xiezi)
Delicious rice dish with whole crabs and local spices served in a sizzling hot pot.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses fresh crab caught from nearby Taihu Lake
- Culinary Tradition: Originates from the local Wuxi cuisine, known for its seafood dishes
- Experience: Watch as your meal is prepared at your table in a traditional hot pot setup
2. Wuxi Salted Duck (Wuxi Yanrou)
Tender, salty-sweet duck cooked to perfection and served with local pickles.
- Preparation Method: Duck is marinated for a long time before being slow-cooked in a clay oven
- Taste Profile: A unique blend of savory, salty, and slightly sweet flavors
- Cultural Significance: Historically significant dish, often enjoyed during celebrations and festivals
3. Wuxi Stewed Pork with Rice Cake (Wuxi Zhurou Ji)
Soft pork and chewy rice cake stewed in a flavorful broth, perfect comfort food.
- Texture Combo: Juicy pork and soft, sticky rice cakes in a rich sauce
- Local Ingredients: Pork is sourced from local farms and rice cakes are made fresh daily
- Traditional Cooking Technique: Cooked by steaming in a clay pot, allowing flavors to meld together over time
4. Wuxi Stinky Tofu (Wuxi Chou Doufu)
Fermented tofu with a strong smell and crispy exterior paired with spicy sauce.
- Strong Aroma: Has a pungent odor due to the fermentation process
- Crispy Texture: The exterior is fried until it becomes crispy while the inside remains soft
- Savory Flavor: Served with a spicy sauce, making for a flavorful combination
5. Wuxi Lotus Root Pudding (Wuxi Lianzhen Niangao)
Sweet and sticky lotus root pudding made with glutinous rice flour.
- Local Ingredient: Made using fresh lotus roots grown in nearby Taihu Lake
- Traditional Dessert: A traditional Wuxi dessert, often enjoyed during the autumn season
- Texture: Soft and sticky texture with a slightly chewy lotus root interior
6. Wuxi Fried Gluten Stick (Wuxi Jiangyou Shuijiao)
Crispy fried gluten sticks served with a spicy sauce.
- Crispy Texture: Crispy exterior and soft interior
- Spicy Flavor: Served with a spicy sauce, adjustable to your preference
- Quick Snack: Perfect as a quick snack or appetizer
7. Wuxi Stewed Eel (Wuxi Shizhao)
Tender eel stewed in a savory broth and served with pickled vegetables.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses fresh eels from nearby Taihu Lake
- Savory Flavor: A rich, savory flavor profile due to the long stewing process
- Health Benefits: Eels are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids
8. Wuxi Braised Pork Belly (Wuxi Zhu Rou Niu Bing)
Tender pork belly slowly braised in soy sauce and served with steamed buns.
- Melting Texture: The pork melts in your mouth
- Savory Flavor: A rich, savory flavor profile from the soy sauce marinade
- Quick Meal: Steamed buns make for a quick and easy meal on-the-go
9. Wuxi Stewed Fish Head (Wuxi Zhuniu Yu)
Flavorful fish head stewed in a savory broth and served with rice.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses fresh fish heads from nearby Taihu Lake
- Savory Flavor: A rich, savory flavor profile due to the long stewing process
- Health Benefits: Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids
10. Wuxi Pan-Fried Dumplings (Wuxi Guo Tie)
Pan-fried dumplings filled with juicy pork and vegetables.
- Tasty Filling: Juicy pork and vegetable filling
- Crispy Texture: Pan-fried until the bottom is crispy while the top remains soft
- Quick Snack: Perfect as a quick snack or appetizer
11. Wuxi Steamed Shrimp Balls (Wuxi Tangcuo Xia Shao Mai)
Delicate shrimp balls steamed and served in a flavorful broth.
- Tender Texture: Tender, delicate texture of the shrimp balls
- Flavorful Broth: Served in a flavorful broth made from local ingredients
- Light Meal: A light meal or appetizer option
12. Wuxi Fried Gluten Ball (Wuxi Tang Cuo)
Crispy fried gluten ball served with a sweet and sour sauce.
- Crispy Texture: Crispy exterior and soft interior
- Sweet and Sour Flavor: A sweet and sour flavor profile in the sauce
- Quick Snack: Perfect as a quick snack or appetizer
13. Wuxi Boiled Fish (Wuxi Shui Zhu Yu)
Tender boiled fish served with a vinegar and ginger sauce.
- Tender Texture: Tender, flavorful texture of the fish
- Fresh Ingredients: Fish is sourced from nearby Taihu Lake
- Light Meal: A light meal option, perfect for lunch or dinner
14. Wuxi Stir-Fried Long Beans (Wuxi Changgu Qie Zi)
Stir-fried long beans with minced pork and local spices.
- Crisp Texture: Crispy, crunchy texture of the long beans
- Savory Flavor: A savory flavor profile from the minced pork and local spices
- Healthy Side Dish: A healthy side dish option, rich in fiber and vitamins
15. Wuxi Rice Noodles (Wuxi Mianxian)
Soft rice noodles served with a flavorful broth and various toppings.
- Tender Texture: Soft, tender texture of the rice noodles
- Flavorful Broth: Served in a flavorful broth made from local ingredients
- Versatile Meal: Various toppings can be added, making it a versatile meal option