Henan Food
From Chinese Food Wiki
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Henan Food is an umbrella for the foods and foodways of Henan Province. Yu cuisine (豫菜) is one part of this wider picture; the province's food directory also includes city and county specialties, breakfast soups, noodles and filled breads, tea, alcoholic drinks, ingredients, traditional food crafts and modern food producers. Dishes cross administrative boundaries, and names and recipes may differ between households, restaurants and localities.
Henan's cultural tourism guides highlight a wide range of regional foods, including Zhengzhou huimian and Yellow River carp, Kaifeng soup dumplings and barrel chicken, Luoyang water banquet and beef soup, Xinyang dishes and Nanwan fish, Zhoukou peppery soup, and local specialties from Jiaozuo, Anyang, Hebi, Puyang, Nanyang and Sanmenxia. The list below is a working directory of sourced examples rather than a definitive ranking of the province's dishes.[1][2]
Yu cuisine and regional traditions
Yu cuisine (豫菜) names a culinary tradition associated with Henan; it does not describe every dish or food habit in the province. Menus include both banquet cooking and everyday market foods. Techniques found in Henan cuisine include braising, stewing, steaming, frying and preparing stocks; the balance of ingredients and seasonings varies by dish and locality.
The Luoyang water banquet (洛阳水席) is a sequence of hot dishes and soups, with the peony swallow vegetable (牡丹燕菜) among its best-known preparations. The water-banquet tradition and the Xiaoyao peppery soup craft are listed in national intangible cultural heritage records.[3][4]
Henan Food by City
Henan includes 17 province-level cities and the Jiyuan demonstration area. This directory lists selected, documented city associations; it does not imply that any dish is exclusive to one place.[5]
Zhengzhou
- Huimian (烩面): hand-stretched wheat noodles served in broth, often with lamb, vermicelli, kelp, tofu skin and greens. Heji is a long-running Zhengzhou restaurant brand associated with lamb huimian; the Ministry of Commerce records it as a China Time-honored Brand.[6]
- Breakfast and market foods: peppery soup, steamed dumplings, egg-filled pancakes and flatbreads.
- Yellow River carp: included in the provincial tourism guide's Zhengzhou food selection.[1][2]
Kaifeng
- Kaifeng soup dumplings (开封灌汤包): steamed buns with a thin wrapper and soup-filled center.
- Barrel chicken (桶子鸡), Bianjing roast duck (汴京烤鸭) and double-sesame flatbread (双麻火烧): well-known Kaifeng dishes and wheat foods.
- Markets and restaurants: local night markets and old restaurant brands are part of the city's dining landscape.[1][7]
Luoyang
- Luoyang water banquet (洛阳水席): a menu of hot dishes and soups, including peony swallow vegetable.
- Beef soup and tofu soup: common local breakfast and meal choices.
- Other local foods: sour-fermented slurry noodles (浆面条), non-flip soup (不翻汤), fried meatball soup, Luoyang potstickers and Xin'an scalded-dough dumplings (新安烫面角).[8][3]
Pingdingshan and Baofeng
- Baofeng Muslim eight-bowl banquet (宝丰清真八大碗): a banquet of meat and sweet dishes prepared by steaming, braising, simmering and other methods.
- Baofeng liquor (宝丰酒): a local sorghum-based spirit; its brewing craft is included in national intangible cultural heritage records.[9][10]
Anyang and Hebi
- Anyang: Daokou roast chicken (道口烧鸡) and flat-noodle vegetable soup (扁粉菜).
- Hebi: Junxian Zimo (浚县子馍), a meat-filled flatbread baked over heated stones, and Qixian lamb with millet rice (淇县羊肉小米饭).[2][11]
Xinxiang
- Yuanyang rice (原阳大米) and Yanjin wheat (延津小麦): agricultural products from the Xinxiang area that are named among Henan's regional food brands.[12]
Jiaozuo
- Wuzhi oil tea (武陟油茶) and Wuzhi clay-pot dishes (武陟砂锅): a traditional drink-food and a local pot-cooked meal.
- Huai yam (怀山药): a regional ingredient used in both everyday foods and processed products.[1][2][13]
Puyang
- Zhuangmo (壮馍): a large stuffed wheat flatbread.
- Pucheng slippery soup (濮城滑脊汤): a local soup dish named in the provincial tourism guide.[2]
Xuchang
- Yuzhou vermicelli (禹州粉条), River Street tofu skin (河街腐竹), watermelon-seed sauce (西瓜酱豆) and sesame oil (小磨油): regional products and pantry foods recorded in Henan tourism material.[14]
Luohe
- Luohe is a major food-manufacturing center. Brands associated with the city's food industry include Shuanghui (meat products), Nanjiecun and Weilong (snacks and packaged foods). These are commercial manufacturers, distinct from restaurant-based Yu cuisine.[15]
Sanmenxia
- Shanzhou ten-bowl banquet (陕州十碗席) and Foshou sugar cake (佛手糖糕): local dishes and sweets featured in the provincial tourism route.[2]
Nanyang
- Fangcheng huimian (方城烩面), Dengzhou peppery soup (邓州胡辣汤), Xinye noodles (新野板面) and Tanghe liangfen (唐河凉粉): noodle, soup and starch-based foods highlighted in the provincial food itinerary.[2][16]
Xinyang
- Xinyang Maojian (信阳毛尖): green tea with a documented local picking and processing tradition; the tea is also a geographical-indication product.
- Nanwan fish (南湾鱼) and Xinyang dishes: freshwater fish and stewed dishes are included in provincial tourism material.[17][18][2]
Zhoukou
- Xiaoyao peppery soup (逍遥胡辣汤): a breakfast soup made with broth, meat, wheat gluten, vermicelli, daylily and spices. The protected craft is registered to Xihua County and is practiced across Henan.[4]
Shangqiu
- Shuijimo (水激馍): a crisp sweet made by soaking dried hard-bread pieces briefly in warm water, frying them, then coating them with light syrup.[19]
- The city's intangible-heritage list also records traditional sesame twists, local roast chicken, sesame oil and other food crafts.[20]
Zhumadian
- Small-mill sesame oil (小磨香油), sesame-leaf foods and Zhengyang peanuts: regional ingredients and food products documented in local tourism and Henan government material.[21][22]
Jiyuan
- Wangwushan persimmon vinegar (王屋山柿子醋): a locally listed agricultural product brand.
- Other local foods: Jiyuan cake (济源菜糕), soil-baked bread (土炒馍) and Wangwushan mountain foods are named in municipal tourism and food events.[23][24][25]
Representative dishes
The dishes below span banquet cooking, soups and everyday meals. They are not a single fixed “official” menu.
- Luoyang peony swallow vegetable (牡丹燕菜): finely cut white radish served in a clear broth; a signature dish in Luoyang's water banquet.
- Soft-braised fish with crispy noodles (糖醋软熘鱼焙面): a Kaifeng-style fish and noodle preparation retained from the previous page's Yu-cuisine list.
- Braised black-carp head and tail (煎扒青鱼头尾), fried eight pieces (炸八块), and scallion-braised lamb (葱扒羊肉): named cooked dishes from the older Yu-cuisine index.
- Daokou roast chicken (道口烧鸡): a regional braised and roasted chicken associated with northern Henan.
- Baofeng eight bowls (宝丰八大碗): a shared banquet selection of meat and sweet dishes.
- Lamb or beef soup, tofu soup, and fried-meatball soup: common hot soups; Luoyang and Kaifeng versions have their own local styles.
- Henan braises and stews: recipe names include braised pork, fish, meat and seasonal vegetables; ingredients and seasonings vary by locality.[8][2][9]
Street foods and snacks
- Xiaoyao peppery soup (逍遥胡辣汤): often served with fried dough, water-fried buns or flatbread for breakfast.
- Kaifeng soup dumplings (开封灌汤包) and barrel chicken (桶子鸡).
- Puyang Zhuangmo (濮阳壮馍) and Junxian Zimo (浚县子馍).
- Egg-filled pancakes (鸡蛋灌饼), oil swirls (油旋), sesame flatbreads (芝麻烧饼), and pan-fried buns (水煎包).
- Kaifeng night-market foods: grilled foods and quick meals sold in evening markets.
- Xuchang tofu skin and local starch noodles; Yuzhou vermicelli is also used in home cooking and prepared foods.[1][2][14][11]
Noodles, breads and staple foods
- Huimian (烩面): Zhengzhou- and Fangcheng-style lamb or mixed-ingredient noodle bowls; broths and toppings vary by shop.
- Other noodles: Xinye banmian (新野板面), Luoyang sour-slurry noodles (浆面条), and regional wheat noodles.
- Dumplings and filled doughs: Zhengzhou steamed dumplings, Kaifeng soup dumplings, Xin'an tangmianjiao, vegetable pockets and water-fried buns.
- Breads and pancakes: double-sesame flatbread, Junxian Zimo, Puyang Zhuangmo, egg-filled pancakes, high-furnace flatbread and blooming steamed buns.
- Other staples: Yuanyang rice, corn and wheat foods, bean noodles and potato-starch vermicelli.
- Dough preparation, hand-pulling noodles, stuffing, steaming, griddle-cooking and oven-baking are distinct regional skills. Fangcheng huimian-making and Junxian Zimo-making are documented local food crafts.[6][16][11][12]
Soups, drinks and alcohol
- Breakfast soups: peppery soup, lamb soup, beef soup, tofu soup and fried-meatball soup.
- Tea: Xinyang Maojian and its hand-processing tradition; Xinyang tea's regional identity is recognized through a geographical indication.
- Wuzhi oil tea (武陟油茶): a hot, savory wheat-and-nut-based drink-food served by the bowl.
- Local spirits: Baofeng liquor and Dukang are established Henan liquor names; Baofeng's brewing craft is included in national intangible cultural heritage records.
- Other beverages: beer, grain drinks, tea and local spirits appear in everyday dining and food tourism; specific products vary by town and producer.[17][18][10][1][2][7]
Ingredients and seasonings
- Wheat and noodles: wheat flour is used for noodles, flatbreads, buns, dumplings and breakfast foods.
- Freshwater fish: Yellow River carp and fish from the Nanwan reservoir area appear in regional food guides.
- Lamb, beef and pork: used in soup, braises, stuffed breads and banquet dishes.
- Beans and starches: soybeans, tofu skin, mung beans, sweet-potato starch and vermicelli appear in soups, cold dishes and fillings.
- Sesame and peanuts: sesame oil, sesame seeds and peanut foods are used in local cooking and snacks.
- Fermented and sour seasonings: Xuchang watermelon-seed sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and chili are used as accompaniments and pantry ingredients.
- Regional crops and food products: Huai yam, Yuanyang rice, Yanjin wheat, Xinyang tea, Yuzhou vermicelli and Jiyuan persimmon vinegar.[4][14][12][23]
Food crafts and brands
Food crafts and commercial brands belong to different parts of Henan's food landscape. Heritage records document making methods; a brand name identifies a restaurant or producer and does not mean that every version follows one recipe.
- Restaurant and old brands: Heji huimian and Laocai Ji steamed dumplings in Zhengzhou; Kaifeng restaurants such as First Building and Ma Yuxing; and Zhenbudong, associated with Luoyang water banquet.[6][7][3]
- Regional food brands: Xinyang Maojian, Baofeng liquor, Wangwushan persimmon vinegar, Yuzhou vermicelli and Yuanyang rice.
- Packaged-food producers: Sanquan and Synear frozen staples, Shuanghui meat products, and Luohe-based Nanjiecun and Weilong brands. Government brand lists and food-industry profiles identify these as Henan food businesses.[26][15]
- Food-making skills: Xiaoyao peppery soup, Luoyang water banquet, Xinyang Maojian tea processing, Baofeng liquor brewing, Fangcheng huimian and Junxian Zimo-making are recorded cultural or craft traditions.[4][3][17][10][16][11]
See also
- Huimian
- Hulatang
- Daokou Braised Chicken
- Chinese Snack
- Anhui Food
- Hebei Food
- Hubei Food
- Shaanxi Food
- Shandong Food
- Shanxi Food
- Chinese Food Map
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 河南省文化和旅游厅：河南冬季旅游线路中的美食推荐 Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, foods on the 2023 winter tourism routes (in Chinese).
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 河南省文化和旅游厅：冬游中原·老家河南 Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, “Winter Tour Central Plains” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 真不同洛阳水席制作技艺 China Intangible Cultural Heritage Digital Museum, “Zhenbudong Luoyang Water Banquet craft” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 小吃制作技艺（逍遥胡辣汤制作技艺） China Intangible Cultural Heritage Digital Museum, “Snack-making craft: Xiaoyao peppery soup” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 河南政务服务网：办事地区 Henan Government Service Network, list of service areas (in Chinese).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 合记 Ministry of Commerce, Time-honored Brand Digital Museum, “Heji” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 商务部老字号数字博物馆：河南中华老字号复核信息 Ministry of Commerce, Time-honored Brand Digital Museum, Henan brand review (in Chinese).
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 河南省文化和旅游厅：洛阳，还得是洛阳！ Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Luoyang foods and food traditions (in Chinese).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 河南省文化和旅游厅：宝丰非遗美食为乡村振兴添活力 Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, “Intangible-heritage foods in Baofeng” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 平顶山市文化广电和旅游局：宝丰酒 Pingdingshan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, “Baofeng liquor” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 河南文化网：传统面食制作技艺（浚县子馍制作技艺） Henan Culture Network, “Traditional staple craft: Junxian Zimo” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 河南省粮食和物资储备局：豫甘粮油合作签约破27万吨 Henan Provincial Grain and Strategic Reserves Administration, Henan grain and food brands (in Chinese).
- ↑ Henan Government: Jiaozuo Huai Yam The People's Government of Henan Province, “Jiaozuo Huai Yam” (in English).
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 河南省文化和旅游厅：许昌哪些特产值得寄出 Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, “Xuchang specialties to send as gifts” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 河南省人民政府：漯河产业升级增强食品名城实力 Henan Provincial Government, “Luohe upgrades its food industry” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 河南省文化和旅游厅：方城烩面文化旅游节 Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Fangcheng huimian and its local craft (in Chinese).
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 绿茶制作技艺（信阳毛尖茶制作技艺） China Intangible Cultural Heritage Digital Museum, “Green tea-making craft: Xinyang Maojian” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Henan Government: Xinyang Maojian Tea Listed as GI Product The People's Government of Henan Province (in English).
- ↑ 商丘水激馍 Henan tourism information portal, “Shangqiu shuijimo” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 商丘公布第六批市级非遗代表性项目名录 China Intellectual Property Protection, reporting Shangqiu's sixth municipal intangible-heritage list (in Chinese).
- ↑ 驻马店特产一览 Zhumadian tourism portal, “Zhumadian specialties” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 河南省人民政府：驻马店由“马路市场”走向“国际农都” Henan Provincial Government, “Zhumadian's agricultural processing sector” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 济源知名农业品牌目录 Jiyuan Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, “Jiyuan agricultural brand directory” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 济源市民宿畅享之旅 Ministry of Culture and Tourism, local food recommendations for Jiyuan (in Chinese).
- ↑ 济源王屋山珍宴优选及发布活动 Jiyuan Municipal Government, “Wangwushan food banquet” (in Chinese).
- ↑ 河南省市场监督管理局：“美豫名品”拟授权企业名单 Henan Administration for Market Regulation, proposed “Meiyu Famous Products” authorization list (in Chinese).