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When discussing Chinese culinary traditions, Shandong cuisine stands out for its unique cooking techniques and flavors. Join Mytour in discovering the most impressive dishes of this region during your trip to China!
Traveling to China, you should experience Shandong's culinary culture at least once. It is the most influential among the eight major Chinese culinary schools, which include Shandong, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hunan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui.
Shandong cuisine is characterized by its long history and intricate cooking methods, offering rich and nutritious dishes. The local culinary style emphasizes precise heat control and knife skills. Techniques include stir-frying, deep-frying, boiling, stewing, and roasting. Famous dishes include braised chicken, fried shrimp, stewed fish head, sweet and sour carp, and Fu Rong chicken slices.
1. Salt-Braised Pork Intestines
Salt-braised pork intestines are a specialty of Jinan City in Shandong Province. Locals use fresh pork intestines as the main ingredient, which are cleaned, blanched, and cut into sections. They are then stir-fried multiple times with onions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and other seasonings. Simmered over low heat, the dish turns reddish, crispy, and has a sweet-sour flavor. This dish promotes stomach and digestive health, nourishes the blood, and boosts immunity. If you visit Jinan during your trip to China, don’t miss this unique delicacy!
2. Dezhou Braised Chicken
Dezhou Braised Chicken is a traditional dish from Shandong, known for its tender and aromatic chicken. The main ingredients include locally sourced chicken, scallions, ginger, garlic, cooking wine, and other seasonings. Prepared using traditional roasting methods, the dish results in soft, flavorful meat that is highly cherished by the locals.
3. Sweet and Sour Carp
Sweet and Sour Carp is a local specialty of Shandong Province and one of China's most famous traditional dishes. Fresh carp from the Yellow River or Huai River is used as the primary ingredient. After scaling and gutting, the fish is cut into flower-like shapes, fried until golden on both sides, and then topped with a sauce made from scallions, ginger, garlic, sugar, rice vinegar, and other seasonings. The dish is visually stunning, with a bright red color and a shape resembling a blooming lotus. It offers a crispy texture, tender meat, a balanced sweet-sour flavor, and is rich in nutrients.
4. Fu Rong Chicken Slices
Fu Rong Chicken Slices, also known as Hibiscus Chicken, is a dish commonly found in Shandong cuisine restaurants. Despite its elegant name, which might suggest it is expensive, the dish is made from simple, everyday ingredients. The chicken breast is sliced thinly, marinated with egg whites to enhance tenderness, and cooked to achieve a white, hibiscus-like appearance, which inspired its poetic name.
5. Scallion-Fried Sea Cucumber
Scallion-Fried Sea Cucumber is a signature dish of Shandong and a treasure of ancient imperial cuisine. Shandong is renowned for its scallions, which, along with ginger and garlic, are widely used in local dishes to enhance aroma and flavor. This dish, made primarily with scallions and sea cucumber, is simple yet impressive, offering a delightful taste and rich nutritional value.
6. Fried Sweet Noodle Rolls
This dish is fried in peanut oil, resulting in a golden outer layer, a soft interior, and evenly thin, golden strands. It has a refreshing sweetness, with thin, uniform strands rolled into an attractive circular shape. Perfect for festive occasions, this dish is a must-try when visiting Shandong during your trip to China.
Zao Liu Fish Fillet is a renowned dish in Shandong, made from yellow croaker. The fish is cleaned, deboned, and sliced thinly, then marinated with salt, egg whites, and starch. The fillets are stir-fried until they change color, set aside, and then simmered in a broth with seasonings. A sauce made from sugar, salt, MSG, and starch is added, creating a rich, flavorful soup. The dish features tender fish and a savory broth that delights diners.
8. Shandong Braised Snails
Shandong Braised Snails, though humble, are a dish that captivates diners. When traveling to China, don’t miss the chance to try this famous delicacy from Shandong. The snails are harvested live from the Yellow River, known for their larger size and sweeter meat compared to those from other regions. Freshness is key, so they are cooked immediately after harvesting for the best flavor. Shandong chefs braise the snails whole rather than removing the meat, and diners extract the meat themselves, enjoying it with fresh chili and a smooth, rich sauce.
Source: Mytour.vn
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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnApril 25, 2024
