Zhanjiang Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes
Indulge in a culinary feast in this coastal city:
1. **Seafood**
- **Charcoal Grilled Oysters**: Zhanjiang is the birthplace of charcoal grilled oysters, known for their large size and plumpness. Enjoying them along the Xiashan Seaside Promenade, accompanied by the sea breeze and stunning bay views, is a true delight. Besides grilling, oysters can also be used in soups and porridges. Fresh oysters cooked with rice flour, seasoned with chopped green onions, shredded ginger, and coriander, create a delicious and flavorful porridge.
- **Poached Shrimp**: Freshly caught sea shrimp are preferred for this dish, offering a delicious and nutritious meal. Poaching preserves the shrimp's natural flavor.
- **Naozhou Abalone**: Primarily found in the southeastern waters of Naozhou Island, this abalone has been a tribute to the imperial court throughout history. It is renowned worldwide for its delicious taste and rich nutritional value.
- **Naozhou Lobster**: Also mainly found in the southeastern waters of Naozhou Island, Tanjing Village on the island is known as the "Hometown of Lobster." Fresh lobster can be enjoyed on Naozhou Island and in high-end hotels within the city.
- **Zhanjiang Prawns**: Zhanjiang accounts for over two-fifths of the national prawn production, with Moji and Longmao prawns being the most common. Freshly caught prawns are the best choice for their delicious taste and rich nutrition. Poached shrimp and salt and pepper shrimp are famous Zhanjiang dishes.
- **Zhanjiang Sandworms**: The sandworms from Xialiu in Suixi County are the most famous. Sandworms are believed to nourish the yin and kidneys. Zhanjiang locals often use them in soups and porridges. Grilled sandworms are crispy and delicious, perfect with alcohol. Garlic sandworms are also a must-have dish at banquets.
- **Crabs**: Found along the Zhanjiang coast, common varieties include green crabs, cream crabs, and flower crabs. High-quality green crabs are called cream crabs, with those from Min'an in Donghai and Zhiliao in Wuchan being particularly prized for their rich, tender, and delicious qualities, making them valuable export products. Steamed flower crabs are fresh and tender, a famous Zhanjiang dish.
- **Eels**: Found and farmed along the Zhanjiang coast, eels are available in markets and hotels. Steamed white eel and grilled eel skewers are local specialties.
- **Sea Cucumber**: Sea cucumbers from Zhanjiang waters are high in protein, affordable, and rich in nutritional and medicinal value. Stir-fried sea cucumber is a famous Zhanjiang dish.
2. **Meat**
- **White Cut Chicken**: Zhanjiang white cut chicken is famous for its tender meat, fragrant bones, and crispy skin. Free-range chickens weighing around one kilogram are preferred. The chicken is cooked until about eighty to ninety percent done. It is typically served with a dipping sauce made from chopped ginger, garlic, and a dash of sesame oil.
- **White Cut Dog Meat**: Zhanjiang locals enjoy dog meat, with a unique tradition of consuming it year-round, especially during the Summer Solstice. Tender dog meat is boiled and served with chili salt or garlic sauce, offering a rich flavor.
- **Roast Suckling Pig**: Zhanjiang suckling pigs are raised in Lianjiang, Suixi, and Wuchan. They are known for their lean meat, tender texture, and delicious flavor. Before roasting, the piglets are marinated with various spices and then cooked over a fruitwood fire, resulting in a crispy and fragrant dish.
- **Leizhou Lamb**: Lamb is a popular dish in Leizhou, especially lamb hot pot. Local lamb, mainly mountain and merino breeds, is cooked with various Chinese herbs, creating a rich and flavorful broth.
- **Xuwen Black Goat**: Xuwen black goat is known for its tender meat and rich aroma. It can be enjoyed in various ways, such as stewing or grilling, each offering a unique and memorable taste.
3. **Snacks**
- **Cheung Fun**: Made from rice flour, these translucent rolls are filled with various ingredients like eggs, minced meat, and vegetables. A plate of cheung fun with a cup of soy milk is a perfect way to start the day.
- **Fried Shrimp Cakes**: Small stalls selling fried shrimp cakes are common throughout Zhanjiang. Rice flour batter mixed with chopped green onions is filled with shelled shrimp, fried until golden brown, and served with salt and lettuce for an irresistible snack.
- **Boji Fan**: Named after the bamboo winnowing basket it's steamed in, this dish is made from glutinous rice flour or sticky rice flour. It's sprinkled with sesame seeds and drizzled with sesame oil after steaming. For those who prefer a spicier kick, chili oil can be added.
- **Tian Ai Gao**: This steamed cake is made with mugwort and rice flour, infused with the aroma of jackfruit leaves placed underneath during steaming. It comes in savory fillings like peanuts, dried shrimp, dried radish, and mung beans, or sweet fillings like coconut flakes or sesame sugar.
- **Beef Offal**: Zhanjiang's love for beef offal is evident in the numerous shops selling it. Pieces of tripe, intestines, lungs, tendons, and omasum are skewered and cooked in a flavorful broth. The most authentic way to enjoy it is by dipping the skewers in a special sauce.
In conclusion, Zhanjiang offers a diverse culinary scene, with seafood, meat dishes, and snacks, each boasting unique flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.