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Mains in Shanxi Food - Noodle Heaven
While carbohydrates are often avoided by those on diets, in Shanxi you must indulge in the energy-giving carbs! Due to the terrain and climate, Shanxi's staple food is primarily noodles. The tradition of families coming together to make noodles has deeply intertwined these dishes with the region's culture and emotions.
Shanxi's unique location along the ancient Silk Road has also led to a rich culinary exchange, resulting in a wide variety of noodle dishes and innovative seasonings, stunning people for centuries.
If you're a noodle lover, there are Shanxi noodles you can't miss: knife-cut noodles, youmian koulaolao, wantuo, and more. Come and try these diverse Shanxi food along the China food tours!
1. Knife-Cut Noodle (刀削面) - Top 1 Shanxi Food
When you come to Shanxi and encounter the dry air and strong winds, a hot meal to warm your growling stomach is the perfect way to soothe your travel weariness. For your first taste of Shanxi food, you must try the king of Shanxi noodles: knife-cut noodles.
The history of Shanxi knife-cut noodles can be traced back to the 14th century. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, the founding emperor and his troops fled to a small village in Shanxi while fighting their enemies. Hungry and exhausted, the villagers offered them noodles. However, they couldn't find their noodle cutter. In a moment of urgency, a clever villager picked up a kitchen knife and shaved pieces of dough into the boiling water. This accidental discovery created a unique noodle with a variety of shapes, and this was the earliest form of knife-cut noodles.
Ingredients: chewy noodles, meat broth, chopped green onion, minced garlic, cilantro, fried sauce, vegetable leaves.
First bite impression: The noodles are smooth, like a fish slipping into your mouth, and the next second you taste the chewy noodles. Every bite is a powerful combination of meat broth and noodles.
The shape of knife-cut noodles is somewhat similar to Italian fettuccine, and the texture is similar to Turkish pulled noodles.
Which City is Best to Try it: Datong
Price: Between 10 and 20 Chinese Yuan
2. Youmian Kao Lao Lao (莜面栲栳栳) - Oat Noodle with Thin Exterior and Soft Interior
You've gotta try youmian kao lao lao if you're looking for Shanxi noodles! It's this awesome oat noodle dish that's super filling but won't weigh you down. These noodle rolls are topped with a mix of delicious stuff like lamb broth and pickled veggies.
Ingredients: oat flour, lamb broth, fermented tofu, pickled vegetables, coriander, and green onions.
First bite impression: The outside is chewy and the inside is soft - it's a really interesting texture. You won't find anything quite like it anywhere else!
Which City is Best to Try it: Xinzhou
Price: 15 - 30 Yuan
3. Beef Balls Noodles (牛肉丸子面) - Add Juicy Meatballs
Let's keep the carb party going! Try another Shanxi food - beef balls noodles. It's a hearty dish that's perfect for any season. Whether you're sweating it out in the summer heat or trying to stay warm in the winter, this noodle soup will hit the spot.
Ingredients: tender meatballs made from fresh beef, rich beef bone broth, and chewy noodles.
First bite impression: The noodles have a firm bite, yet they give way effortlessly. The beef balls burst with juicy flavor, and the broth is deeply savory with a rich meaty taste.
Which City is Best to Try it: Linfen
Price: 15 - 25 Yuan
4. Tounao (头脑) - Herbal Shanxi Cuisine & A Thick Paste
Traditional Chinese cuisine often incorporates medicinal herbs into dishes, such as tounao of Shanxi food. Tounao is a nourishing meal, designed to promote health. While many health foods can be bland, tounao offers a unique and flavorful experience.
This medicinal dish was invented by Fu Shan, a famous scholar and doctor during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. He created it to improve his health and as a way to show his patriotism after the Ming Dynasty fell.
Pour vinegar over the chives, then put them into the tounao. Scoop it up from the side with a spoon. Many locals like to pair it with a small pot of yellow wine. It might not be to everyone's taste, but you could give a try. When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
Ingredients: astragalus root (a common Chinese herb used to combat fatigue), stewed noodles, lotus root, mutton, yam, yellow wine (a type of Chinese rice wine), wine dregs, sheep tail fat.
First bite impression: The original broth was utterly flavorless, offering only a faint hint of alcohol and a subtle bitterness. Adding the vinegared chives gave it a bit of a kick.
Which City is Best to Try it: Taiyuan
Price: 30 Yuan
5. Tijian Noodle (剔尖面) - Stir Fried Noodles
Knife-cut noodles are cut with a knife, while tijian noodles are individually plucked with chopsticks and flicked into the pot. Tijian noodles can be served with either a flavorful broth poured over them or stir-fried, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
This unique Shanxi noodle was originally invented by rural housewives in 17th-century Shanxi. Due to the harsh living conditions in rural areas at that time, they needed to prepare a hearty meal quickly. The simple preparation method of titian noodles made it increasingly popular in Shanxi.
Ingredients: Flour, various stir-fried dishes (stir-fried together with the noodles or poured over the noodles).
First bite impression: The noodles are super chewy! Add chili vinegar, cilantro, and cucumbers. The toppings are the secret!
Which City is Best to Try it: Xiyang County, Jinzhong
Price: 10 - 20 Yuan
6. Dan Dan Noodle (担担面) - A Variation of Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
Shanxi has put its own unique spin on the classic Sichuan Dan Dan noodle. While sharing a similar name, Shanxi's version is a milder, more flavorful experience. Without the Sichuan peppercorn's numbing sensation or the intense heat, these noodles are perfect for those who prefer a less spicy bite. The noodles themselves are remarkably chewy and smooth, and the overall flavor profile leans towards a tangy sourness.
Ingredients: Flour, minced pork, crushed peanuts (optional for those with peanut allergies), fermented bean paste, pepper oil, sesame paste.
First bite impression: The dish has a moderate level of spiciness and numbness, the noodles are chewy, the sour flavor is prominent, and the garlic flavor is strong.
Which City is Best to Try it: Jiexiu County, Jinzhong
Price: 10 - 20 Yuan
7. Maoerduo Noodle (猫耳朵面) - Cat-Ear Shaped Noodles
After trying the long noodles, let's try some cutely shaped Shanxi noodles! Maoerduo noodles are a must-try in Shanxi Cuisine. This noodle gets its name from its shape, which is pinched to resemble a cat's ear, thick in the middle and thin at the edges.
Ingredients: Regular flour or buckwheat flour, tomatoes, green vegetables, pork.
First bite impression: With each bite, two or three small dough balls. The dough is chewy, the soup is sour and spicy, and the noodles are a bit salty.
Which City is Best to Try it: Taiyuan, Pingyao, Datong
Price: 10 - 20 Yuan
8. Bulanzi (不烂子) - Noodles That Can't Be Stewed Soft
Bulanzi is one of Shanxi noodles made with potatoes, flour, and other ingredients. The name comes from its characteristic of not easily falling apart, even when cooked for a long time.
Ingredients: flour, potato, green vegetables.
First bite impression: The noodles are enveloped in a creamy mashed potato layer, providing a dense, chewy texture and a hint of dryness.
Which City is Best to Try it: Xizhou, Luliang
Price: 10 - 20 Yuan
Noodle Partner of Shanxi Food - Aged Vinegar
In Shanxi, noodles and vinegar are inseparable. Shanxi aged vinegar is renowned throughout China and is known as “the number one vinegar in the world”. When a bowl of steaming Shanxi noodles is served, a few drops of vinegar are drizzled on top, instantly releasing a fragrant aroma that cuts through the richness and stimulates the appetite.
Meat in Shanxi Food
Carb overload? Let's switch to meat!
1. Dingxiang Steamed Meat (定襄蒸肉) - Pork Coated in Starch
With a satisfyingly chewy texture and a melt-in-your-mouth softness, Dingxiang steamed meat is a culinary treasure with a history spanning over a millennium. Once a royal delicacy, this dish has become a beloved staple at Shanxi folk feasts.
Ingredients: Five-layer pork belly or pork ribs, potato starch.
First bite impression: The outer layer of dough absorbs the meat juice, and with one bite, the room fills with the aroma of meat. It's delicious even without any seasoning.
Where to Try it in Shanxi: Dingxiang County, Xinzhou
Price: 20 - 40 Yuan
2. Guoyou Meat (过油肉) - A Home-style Stir-Fried Meat
In Shanxi cuisine, guoyou meat is more renowned than steamed meat. It's a traditional dish beloved by locals.
Ingredients: pork, egg, starch, seasoning.
First bite impression: The golden-brown meat slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sauce is clear, with a salty and savory flavor on the first bite, followed by a subtle hint of vinegar in the aftertaste.
Where to Eat it in Shanxi: Pingding county, Yangquan
Price: 20 - 40 Yuan
3. Lucheng Shuai Bing (潞城甩饼) - Donkey Meat Pancake
Meat and carbs are a match made in heaven. Try Lucheng Shuai Bing! Its history dates back to the 17th-century Ming and Qing dynasties, when they were a popular rural dish in Shanxi. Donkeys were a common food source for farmers during that time.
Ingredients: flour, donkey meat
First bite impression: Salty and fragrant. The pastry is both soft and resilient. The donkey meat is tender and lean, making it a great choice for those watching their fat intake.
Which City to Try it: Lucheng District, Changzhi
Price: 5 yuan each
Snacks in Shanxi Food
Don't forget to indulge in some delicious snacks while sightseeing in Shanxi attractions.
1. Wantuo (碗托) - A Soft, Springy Batter
After enjoying a hearty hot dish, why not cool things down with a traditional Shanxi snack? Wantuo is a must-try, with its silky-smooth skin and spicy sauce that will tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients: buckwheat noodles, chili oil, sesame paste.
First bite impression: The outer layer is silky smooth, while the inside is incredibly tender, almost like biting into a spicy marshmallow. You've got to try them fresh from the kitchen!
Which City is Best to Try it: Liulin County, Luliang
Price: 5-10 Yuan
2. Wenxi Zhu Bing (闻喜煮饼) - A Sweet Fried Cake
Shanxi food is renowned for its bold, savory flavors. However, for those with a sweeter tooth, there's always Wenxi Zhu Bing. Originating from Wenxi County in Shanxi Province, this centuries-old treat is a local favorite. Legend has it that Wenxi residents invented this unique pastry to celebrate an abundant harvest in the 17th century. Over time, it evolved into the delicious snack we enjoy today.
Ingredients: Wheat flour, brown sugar, sesame seeds, walnut pieces, dried osmanthus flowers.
First bite impression: Very sweet, best with tea. Similar to Italian Panettone.
Which City to Eat It: Wenxi County, Yuncheng
Price: 10 Yuan
3. Hunyuan Liangfen (浑源凉粉) - Jelly Noodle
Looking for a cool and refreshing treat to beat the summer heat in Shanxi cuisine? Hunyuan Liangfen is the perfect choice! This local favorite is a must-try for any visitor.
Ingredients: pea starch, chili oil, cucumber strips.
First bite impression: Cool jelly, whatever flavor the seasoning is, that's the flavor it will be.
Where to Try It: Hunyuan County, Datong
Price: 5 - 10 yuan
Travel Shanxi with Asia Odyssey Travel, Culture & Nature & Food Shanxi Trip
Shanxi will blow your mind, no matter how many times you've been!
Ready for a cultural adventure? Check out the amazing Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple in Datong, and wander through the ancient streets of 17th-century Pingyao. You can even climb the city walls and feel like you've stepped back in time!
Looking for some peace and quiet? Explore the stunning beauty of Mount Wutai and feel the raw power of Hukou Waterfall.
Your trip to Shanxi will be an unforgettable experience, one you'll be talking about for years to come!
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