Chongqing, a mountain city nestled at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, has been known since ancient times for its perseverance, urban character and unrivalled food culture. The winding streets and alleys, winding mountain roads, everywhere exude a mellow humanistic atmosphere and a strong interest in life, awakening the yearning of everyone who pursues food on the tip of the tongue. Here, food is a way of life, an innate pride, and a unique communication language, allowing the world to understand and admire Chongqing. Hot pot, small noodles, copying hands, chicken pot, spicy rabbit...... Covering six styles of numb, spicy, fresh, fragrant, crispy and glutinous, a variety of Chongqing specialties present the city's long history and profound culture. What we want to take stock today is this charming Chongqing specialty, thousands of rivers and mountains, just for a good taste.
1, Mao Xuewang
As a signature dish of Chongqing, Mao Xuewang tastes raw blood wang in the way of hot and freshly eaten, and the soup is red and bright while it is full of spicy mouth. In order to produce Mao Xuewang, its materials are rich and diverse, such as common beef shutters, yellow throat, tripe, etc. After blanching the leaves sufficiently, then rinse them to ensure that they are finally cooked and each piece of meat is more tender and delicious. As for Mao Xuewang's specialty, it is the combination of sesame sauce and spicy flavor. In the condiment, it adds many spices, such as bean paste, Sichuan pepper, etc., so that the flavor can be rich. This dish is one of the most beloved traditional dishes of Chongqing residents.
2. Chongqing spicy chicken
As an iconic dish in Sichuan cuisine, Chongqing Spicy Chicken is popular for its rich selection of ingredients and unique cooking methods. This dish is made with tender chicken as the main ingredient, and seasonings such as green onions, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns and salt are carefully matched. It seems to be a simple dish, but it has a far-reaching influence because of its brown-red color, shining oil, spicy and rich taste. Each bite is spicy and fragrant, the appetite is greatly increased, and the taste is fresh after the meal, which can promote people's appetite. This dish is not only unique among Sichuan cuisine, but also a favorite delicacy of Chongqing locals.
3. Wanzhou grilled fish
Among Chongqing's specialties, Wanzhou grilled fish dominates the scene, and its unique cooking method attracts many diners. First, the fresh fish is hung on the grill, held securely with iron clamps, and then poured with a delicious base. Next, it's served with a variety of vegetables and a carefully stir-fried base, followed by a gentle pouring of the famous Chongqing hot pot seasoning, which is sure to make your taste buds tumble in the salty and spicy. This dish has a unique taste and is rich in nutrients, and is a combination of three cooking techniques: marinating, roasting and stewing.
4. Boiled fish
Chongqing's boiled fish is unique, and its delicious and unique taste is mainly derived from various seasonings such as red pepper and Sichuan pepper. Its taste is silky, oily rather than greasy, with a rich spicy and numbing flavor. People love it because of its light taste, tender texture, and extremely wonderful umami taste. Boiled fish is a time-honored dish known as one of the symbols of Chongqing's Jianghu cuisine, and its influence is not limited to the menu.
5. Pickled pepper and chicken offal
Pickled pepper and chicken offal is a favorite delicacy among Chongqing's specialties. First, marinate the chicken gizzards, hearts, and livers, then stir-fry with ingredients such as pickled peppers, garlic cloves, and celery, and finally sprinkle with celery and salt to add flavor. The spicy texture of the chicken offal and the sour and spicy taste of the pickled pepper complement each other, opening a feast for the taste buds. In Chongqing, the delicious taste of this dish has attracted many diners.
6. Chongqing hot pot
Chongqing hot pot occupies an important place in Chongqing's cuisine and is warmly welcomed by local residents who appreciate its spicy and fragrant taste. The dish originated from the folk but was elevated in the temple. Today, Chongqing hot pot is made with more than just the usual ingredients such as sliced meat, bean sprouts and mushrooms, as well as a variety of special condiments, such as spicy bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns. The basic ingredients of hot pot have spicy characteristics, and there are many kinds of ingredients to choose from, which can be easily adapted, and the price is very reasonable. Whether it is a local or a tourist, Chongqing hot pot can satisfy their cravings.
7. Sauerkraut fish
Sauerkraut fish from Chongqing is widely praised for its unique seasoning method and special cooking techniques, and is a classic regional specialty. This dish is made with grass carp as the main ingredient and then boiled with kimchi and other ingredients, which has a sour and spicy taste. In addition to its delicious taste, sauerkraut fish also has a great advantage that the price is reasonable, so it has become one of the traditional delicacies that Chongqing people love very much.
8. Chongqing noodles
With its unique taste and flavor, Chongqing noodles have become Chongqing's signature dishes. Among them, vegetarian noodles, beef noodles, mixed sauce noodles and bowl mixed noodles are the most common. The basic vegetarian noodles are available in clear soup and red soup, and the red soup is enhanced by the addition of braised beef. The choice of noodles is very particular, and they can be mainly divided into "watery" and "dry", and dry noodles with a lot of water are even rarer. Oil chili pepper and lard are the core ingredients of Chongqing noodles, which add a unique aroma and taste to the noodles. As for seasonings, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, oil chili, ginger and garlic water, mustard cubes and lard are all indispensable. In general, Chongqing noodles are delicious and loved by people, and have become a special delicacy of Chongqing.
9. Spring pheasant
Chongqing's famous local dish is Quanshui Chicken, which is excellent for its spicy taste and fresh and refreshing chicken unique to Sichuan. This dish originated in the Nanshan District of Chongqing, and was originally named "Izumi Restaurant" because there was a deep well in the store, and the water from the well came from a spring in the mountains. The last step is to season the chickens with red pepper, purple pepper, green garlic and ginger to make the taste more delicious.
10. Bean curd
Chongqing is famous for its bean curd, which is made with a special sauce and a variety of toppings to create a spicy and delicious flavor. Not only that, Chongqing has also won a reputation for various other forms of bean curd snacks, such as bean curd rice, bean curd hot pot, etc., which are all local delicacies loved by children and adults alike. Chongqing's food is rich and colorful, and bean curd is regarded as a must-try. The people of Chongqing are keen to mix and match various ingredients and spices to create unique wontons.
Proofread by Huang Hao