Wanzhou Food

Wanzhou food is the food culture of Wanzhou District in northeastern Chongqing, in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir region. The Yangtze River runs through the district, whose terrain includes hills and mountains. Local government and local-history sources identify Wanzhou grilled fish, gege and noodles as signature foods.

Three signature foods

Wanzhou grilled fish

Wanzhou grilled fish (万州烤鱼) is the district’s best-known food specialty. Wanzhou’s official introduction records the local title “Home of Chinese Grilled Fish,” while a district commerce response describes the development of the modern grilled-fish trade and notes that fish is sourced from several areas outside Wanzhou as well as nearby suppliers. The local identity of the dish should not be confused with a claim that all fish used by Wanzhou restaurants is locally raised.

Wanzhou gege

Gege (格格) is identified by the district government as one of Wanzhou’s three signature foods. A district cultural-tourism report describes gege as meat dishes such as lamb, pork intestine and ribs cooked in small steamers. Local versions may differ in their ingredients and seasoning.

Wanzhou noodles

Wanzhou noodles (万州面) are named alongside grilled fish and gege in the district’s official local-food program. Wanzhou government sources also identify Wanzhou zajiang noodles (万州炸酱面) as a local specialty. The dishes are related local noodle traditions; the names alone do not establish a single standardized recipe.

Food geography

Wanzhou lies on the Yangtze in the Three Gorges Reservoir region. The river crosses an area of varied, hilly terrain, giving the district a distinctive river-and-mountain setting.

Related pages

• Chongqing Food
• Wanzhou grilled fish
• Chongqing Noodles
• Chinese Food Map