Chaozhou's 100 Delicious Foods, Little Horse's Favorite Snacks in His Travels, Especially Loved These 4
When travelers think of Cantonese cuisine, they might first think of dim sum or more familiar dishes like congee. However, there's actually another city in Guangdong that holds more authentic and niche snacks, still worth traveling for food – that's Chaozhou.
It is said that Chaozhou cuisine and snacks can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. By the Tang Dynasty, they had become extremely important food. Even Yan Yu wrote a poem about Chaozhou cuisine: '…chapter-pushed horse belt, therefore strange eyes are shown. Other dozens of kinds, none can be regretted'… Later, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chaozhou cuisine entered its peak period, with numerous old brands and diverse categories. Even today, it is said that there are still over a hundred snacks preserved in Chaozhou City, making it a treasure destination for food travelers.
But among the many Chaozhou snacks, Xiao Ma (Little Horse) especially likes these four:
(Niuza Guotiao – Beef Offal & Rice Noodles)
During my travels in Chaozhou, what I liked most was (Beef Offal & Rice Noodles). I had rarely heard of this snack before. But seeing the boss's skillful movements, I suddenly had an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Putting spices into a bowl, adding rice noodles and bean sprouts into a boiling pot, after the soup is cooked, draining and pouring it into a bowl, then putting the beef offal into water to blanch and pouring it into the bowl. Finally, adding the most authentic beef bone broth, and sprinkling with chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic, along with beef toppings. That's how a signature Chaozhou snack is made. While eating rice noodles and beef offal, take a sip of the refreshing broth – it's incredibly satisfying.
Where to eat for travelers: If you like to check in, you can focus on Zhen Ji Old Tail Beef Offal & Rice Noodles and Lao Li Rice Noodles & Rice Rolls. If you want authentic flavor, you can find any shop, the taste won't be bad.
(Guojiu – Rice Gruel)
In Xiao Ma's eyes, Chaozhou snacks rank second is Rice Gruel. It's more flavorful than rice noodles' broth. Similar to Hu La Tang (Spicy Hot Pot) broth, it's a more intense taste. Although the ingredients are similar to rice noodles, Rice Gruel adds rice flour and incorporates heavier toppings like pig intestines, salted eggs, shiitake mushrooms, and pickled radish. If you like intense flavors, Rice Gruel will surely surprise you.
Where to eat for travelers: You should try Jin Street Rice Gruel and Kai Yuan Old Seven Rice Gruel, both are highly recommended.
(Changfen – Rice Skin Rolls)
Similarly, during my Chaozhou travels, I must-have breakfast is Changfen. Chaozhou Changfen is generally divided into sweet and savory flavors. Xiao Ma prefers savory Changfen. The production method is very simple – it takes 2-3 minutes to make a genuine Chaozhou Changfen. Although the time is short, it adds various ingredients like beef, pork, shrimp meat, cabbage, bean sprouts, etc. After forming the rice skin, adding it with various ingredients and topping it with sauce, it's ready to eat. What's unique about Chaozhou Changfen is the use of peanut butter and sesame paste.
Where to eat for travelers: There are many places to eat Changfen in Chaozhou. Xiao Ma prefers Ah Ming Changfen and Haiyang Changfen, actually you can find good taste in any shop, don't need to select too much.
(Ya Mu Jian – Sweet Jelly with Jelly Cubes)
If you like desserts, you must try Ya Mu Jian – although the name sounds like a meat dish, it's actually a sweet dessert. The ingredients are mainly chosen from silver skin, lotus seeds, white gourd, and mugwort, and the most authentic one is the white jelly-like ingredient in the middle, which is delicious.
Where to eat for travelers: There are also many shops selling Ya Mu Jian in Chaozhou City. Most of them choose to taste at the popular Hu Rong Quan, but I think the taste there is generally not so good.
The above is what Xiao Ma tasted during his travel in Chaozhou, which is still unforgettable. So, have you been to Chaozhou travel? What special snacks do you recommend to everyone?
