Anhui cuisine is known for its use of wild herbs, from both the land and the sea, and simple methods of preparation.
Braising and
stewing are common cooking techniques. Frying and
stir frying are used much less frequently in Anhui cuisine than in other Chinese culinary traditions. Anhui cuisine consists of three styles: the
Yangtze River region,
Huai River region, and southern
Anhui region. Anhui has ample uncultivated fields and forests, so the wild herbs used in the region's cuisine are readily available. Anhui cuisine is heavily associated with
tofu, with Chinese folklore crediting the creation of tofu to the
Han dynasty prince
Liu An who hailed from
Shou County (dubbed the "hometown of tofu").[1] According to Chinese legend,
stinky tofu was created by Anhuinese scholar Wang Zhihe who sold his product in Beijing to make a living after failing the
imperial examination. Anhui is the home of
hairy tofu where it is a popular snack.
Also known as "four seasons tofu", is a traditional local snack in
Huainan, Anhui.
Egg dumplings
農家蛋餃
农家蛋饺
nóngjiā dàn jiǎo
These
dumplings, usually associated with rural cooking, use thin sheets of egg instead of flour for the wrapping. Egg dumplings traditionally use pork as a filling. In preparation, a ladle is lightly coated with oil and heated, well beaten eggs are spooned into the ladle and cooked until the mixture forms a dumpling wrapper. The pork filling is then spooned into the egg wrapping and the entire dumpling steamed. It is often served with soy sauce.[2]
A popular dish named after
Li Hongzhang,[citation needed] a prominent
Qing dynasty statesman from Anhui Province. The dish, a complex soup, is somewhat salty with a taste of sweetness. Many ingredients are used in the soup but the most common ones include
sea cucumber, fish, squid, bamboo, dry bean curd, chicken, ham and assorted vegetables.
Luzhou roast duck
廬州烤鴨
庐州烤鸭
Lúzhōu kǎoyā
A popular dish from
Hefei which first gained recognition when it was offered as tribute to the imperial court. While not as well known internationally as
Peking duck, Luzhou roast duck has won awards and distinction within China.[citation needed]
A regional dish that originated in
Sanhe, Feixi County, but can now be found in
Hefei. The dish's main components are
rice flour and a regional species of small white shrimp. The shrimp are stir fried with leeks and soy sauce, while the rice flour is soaked in water and later added to the shrimp. The dish is brown in colour and tastes pleasantly salty. It is eaten with a spoon.
Steamed stone frog
清蒸石蛙
清蒸石蛙
Qīngzhēng shí wā
The dish has been proven to be rich in protein and other nutrients.
Wushan imperial goose
吳山貢鵝
吴山贡鹅
wúshān gòng'é
The history of Wushan imperial goose dates back to the
Tang dynasty. The dish is lightly coloured and has a fragrant and salty taste.
Stinky mandarin fish
臭鱖魚
臭鳜鱼
Chòu guì yú
The dish smells stinky but tastes delicious and tender. The stinky mandarin fish has a complete shape and a bright red color. It emits a pure and special pickled flavor. The meat is delicate, mellow and tasty.