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If you're a travel enthusiast, Trùng Khánh is surely on your list of must-visit destinations when exploring China. If you're planning a trip to this city, make sure to indulge in all the delicious culinary offerings Trùng Khánh has to offer as shared below!
1. Spicy and Sour Sweet Potato Noodles (Suan La Fen) – a Popular Delicacy in Trùng Khánh
Spicy and Sour Sweet Potato Noodles (Suan La Fen) are not only a popular dish in Trùng Khánh but also beloved throughout the country. This hearty specialty boasts a spicy and tangy flavor profile that complements the sweetness of fresh noodles. The vibrant red color of the chili oil adds visual appeal along with delightful taste. The main ingredients of sweet potato noodles include Dutch peas and sweet potato starch. After mixing these two types of flour in a certain ratio, the chef creates noodles by pouring the batter into hot water. The size of the noodles depends on the diameter of the holes on the sieve. The process is similar to making vermicelli in our country.
This dish offers a rather subtle flavor profile.
The main spices that define the unique flavor of this noodle dish are Trùng Khánh peppercorns and chili. Vinegar, essential for enhancing the dish's taste, cannot be overlooked. Currently, there are two types of Suan La Fen noodles: one is freshly made on-site, and the other is pre-made dry noodles. Most traditional noodle shops usually opt for fresh noodles to ensure the freshness and quality of the noodles. Many tourists not only enjoy eating spicy and sour sweet potato noodles but also witnessing the shop owner preparing the noodles on the spot.
Spicy and Sour Sweet Potato Noodles
2. Mapo Tofu – a Simple Yet Delicious Dish in Trùng Khánh
Mapo Tofu is a highly popular delicacy in the daily meals of Trùng Khánh residents due to its quick and simple cooking method, yet it is incredibly appetizing. The dish consists of white tofu in a sauce made from fermented soybeans, chili oil, fermented black beans, and minced beef. Some studies suggest that this delicious dish dates back to 1862 in the suburbs of Chengdu, Sichuan province. Its simplicity and deliciousness have made Mapo Tofu increasingly popular up to this day.
Mapo Tofu
An authentic Mapo Tofu must have a strong, distinctive spiciness characteristic of the Sichuan region. This spicy taste comes from a combination of Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili peppers, chili oil, chili bean paste, rice wine, and garlic. For vegetarian diners, the dish can be prepared without meat.
This dish is incredibly appetizing
3. Kung Pao Chicken – a Must-Try Dish in Trùng Khánh
Kung Pao Chicken is one of the tantalizing dishes in Trùng Khánh, known for its perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. This dish boasts a balanced level of spiciness and is readily available at eateries and restaurants along the streets.
Trùng Khánh's Kung Pao Chicken (Photo: lowcarbbenni)
The method to prepare Kung Pao Chicken is not overly complicated, allowing you to easily make it at home. First, clean the chicken meat and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Then coat the chicken with dry flour and fry until golden brown in hot oil. The essence of the dish lies in the Kung Pao sauce, which is visually appealing and made from soy sauce, peanuts, chili peppers, fermented soybeans, black vinegar, chicken broth, and a splash of wine to enhance the flavor. Notably, a key spice in this dish is Sichuan peppercorns.
This dish is best enjoyed with steamed white rice.
4. Spicy Hotpot - one of the most famous delicacies in Trùng Khánh
When it comes to delicious dishes in Trùng Khánh, Spicy Hotpot is probably the most mentioned. This renowned hotpot has a rich and spicy flavor profile. Additionally, it offers diversity with various toppings to suit different tastes. A typical Trùng Khánh Spicy Hotpot must include pork/beef tendons, duck intestines, and beef tripe. All ingredients are cooked in a fragrant, spicy broth enriched with beef fat.
Trùng Khánh Spicy Hotpot
Trùng Khánh hotpot dishes are typically served in compartmentalized pots. They can have 2, 4, or 9 compartments depending on customers' needs or the number of diners. The hotpot broth comes in a variety of flavors ranging from rich and traditional spicy to mild and non-spicy, catering to everyone's taste preferences.
Just by looking at the color of the broth, you can tell how strong the spiciness is!
5. Don't forget to try Dan Dan Noodles when in Trùng Khánh
Dan Dan Noodles got its name from a picture of a street vendor using a carrying pole (dan dan) to carry baskets containing sauce and noodles to sell to passersby. It was this image, along with its delicious flavor, that led people to gradually call the dish Dan Dan Noodles to distinguish it from other noodle dishes.
Dan Dan Noodles
The main ingredients of Dan Dan Noodles include chili oil, pickled vegetables, and finally topped with a bit of minced meat and green onions. While it may seem simple, the pickled vegetables or chili oil are intricately prepared due to the richness of the ingredients and the lengthy preparation time.
It may look simple, but the process of preparing the noodles takes quite a bit of time.
6. Skewer Hotpot (Chuan Chuan Xiang) – a popular delicacy in Trùng Khánh
Skewer Hotpot is a beloved specialty on the list of delicious dishes in Trùng Khánh. Essentially, it is a variation of the spicy hotpot. Despite being introduced relatively late, it has gained popularity among many tourists. Unlike traditional hotpot, the ingredients for skewer hotpot are skewered from vegetables to meat and then dipped in broth cooked in clay or iron pots.
Skewer Hotpot (Chuan Chuan Xiang)
The reason why this hotpot dish is so popular is due to the variety of ingredients and the uniquely delicious flavors that keep customers coming back for more. Many Chuan Chuan Xiang restaurants are located underground or on winding streets like a maze but are still always crowded with diners. This proves the irresistible allure of skewer hotpot.
All the ingredients are skewered onto sticks and then dipped into the broth.
7. Spicy Bean Jelly (Chuanbei Liangfen) – Trùng Khánh's Summer Cooler
Spicy bean jelly is a popular dish in Trùng Khánh, especially during the hot summer days. The dish is topped with chili oil, garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce. The reason why spicy bean jelly is so beloved is due to its sweet, refreshing taste combined with a spicy kick, which perfectly complements the humid and slightly suffocating climate of Trùng Khánh.
Spicy Bean Jelly with Chili Sauce
This dish is perfect for Trùng Khánh's weather.
8. Boiled Four Sichuan Flavors Fish (Shuizhu Yu) – A Popular Dish in Trùng Khánh
Shuizhu Yu is a famous boiled fish dish in Trùng Khánh. The cooking method involves boiling the fish and then simmering it with spices. The fish is filleted into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with salt, then dipped in cornstarch or flour before being boiled for 20 minutes. After boiling, the fish remains tender and retains its original sweetness. Vegetables are placed at the bottom of the bowl after being washed to remove excess water. Essential ingredients for the Four Sichuan Flavors Fish include minced garlic, Sichuan pepper, finely chopped dried chili, and a few other spices. When serving, the cook will heat oil until fragrant and pour it directly onto the dish.
Boiled Four Sichuan Flavors Fish
The characteristic feature of this boiled fish dish is the layer of chili oil covering its surface. When picking up the fish, you will notice a layer of shimmering oil on the outside. This cooking method ensures that the dish is flavorful while maintaining the fish's natural sweetness, something that stir-frying or deep-frying cannot achieve.
This dish is generously coated with layers of chili oil on the outside.
Above are the famous dishes in Trùng Khánh that you should definitely try if you have the opportunity to visit. The intense spicy flavors of Trùng Khánh cuisine's signature specialties will leave spicy food enthusiasts completely mesmerized!
Thu Mơ (compiled) – luhanhvietnam.com.vn
Image source: Internet
Posted by: Nguyễn Thế Bắc
Keywords: 'Exploring the Flavors of Trùng Khánh'
