Ya'an Food Notes: Treasures of Western Sichuan on the Tip of Your Tongue
In the southwest of Sichuan, there is a city surrounded by green mountains and green waters - Ya'an. It is not only the "hometown of pandas", but also an important post station on the Tea Horse Road, known as the "throat of western Sichuan", "gateway to Tibet" and "corridor of nations". The food here is like the city’s business card, each dish exuding a unique charm that makes you endlessly memorable. Follow it down and let us walk into Ya'an and embark on a wonderful journey on the tip of our tongues.
Yayu: the delicacies in the Zhougong River
The Zhougong River in Ya'an, with its clear current and suitable water temperature, has given birth to a unique fish - Yayu. The Yafish, scientifically known as the slit-bellied fish, is known for having a sharp “sword” in its snout, which is actually formed by the ossification of its snout mane, a symbol of Yafish identity. In Ya'an, the most classic way to eat is the casserole fish. Wash the fresh Yayu, put it in a casserole unique to Yujing, add the broth boiled with old hen and pork bones, then add onion slices, ginger slices, goji berries and other seasonings, and simmer over low heat. Over time, the delicious fish broth gradually thickens, and the tenderness of the yak fish is perfectly preserved in the milky white broth. A bite of fish meat melts in your mouth, delicate and refreshing; a sip of fish soup is fresh and fragrant, warming your whole body and mind. Casserole yak fish is not only a delicacy, but also a representative of Ya'an food culture, carrying the history and memory of the city. In the streets and alleys of Ya'an, there are many restaurants specializing in casserole Yayu, among which Meimei Yayu Restaurant (Xishu Tianti Store) is popular among diners. This shop's casserole fish is made from wild fish from the Zhougong River. The cooking skills are exquisite and the soup is fresh and delicious.
Tart Noodles: The strong delicacy of Yujing
In Yujing, there is a unique noodle dish – tart noodles, which has become a bright business card of Ya’an cuisine with its unique process and rich taste. The process of making tart noodles is full of art. The master mixes the flour and water in a certain proportion, kneads it into a dough, and then repeatedly beats and stretches it to make the dough become stronger. Next, the master uses a rolling pin to roll the dough into thin slices, and then cut into even thick and thin noodles with a knife. To cook the noodles, place the noodles in boiling water and allow them to float, then add the greens, bean sprouts and other side dishes, cook and drain. Finally, according to personal taste, add different kinds of tang, such as beef dou zi, mixed sauce broth, ribs broth. The tart noodles with beef tart noodles are tender and juicy, the tart noodles are spicy and rich, and perfectly blend with the strong noodles; There are many tart noodle shops in Yujing, the more famous of which are Zhou Kee Tart Noodle and Yan Dao No. 1 Tart Noodle. The tart noodles in these shops have their own characteristics, but they all attract many diners with their delicious taste and affordable prices.
Asbestos barbecue: A feast for sight and taste
When it comes to Ya’an cuisine, asbestos barbecue is definitely not to be missed. It has become a favorite among many diners with its unique grilling and rich ingredients. Asbestos grilling uses iron plate grilling, where the ingredients are placed on a hot iron plate, which gradually becomes golden and crispy as the temperature rises, exuding an enticing aroma. During the baking process, the master will sprinkle various seasonings such as salt, chili noodles, and cumin powder at the right time according to the ingredients. Asbestos barbecues are made with a wide variety of ingredients, including tender beef, lamb, pork, delicious fish and shrimp, shellfish, and various vegetables and mushrooms. Among them, beef is one of the signature ingredients of asbestos barbecue. Selected local premium beef, thinly sliced and quickly grilled on an iron plate, the tenderness of the beef and the aroma of the seasoning blend together to make you want to stop. In addition to beef, grilled shrimp is a major feature of asbestos barbecue. Wash the fresh shrimps, place them on the iron plate, and grill them until the shells turn red and the shrimp meat is cooked through. Sprinkle with some pepper and salt. The shrimp meat is tender and juicy, and the shrimp shells are crispy and delicious. In Asbestos, there are many well-known barbecue restaurants such as Ye Feng Barbecue, Left Bank Barbecue, and Hao Man Barbecue. The barbecue in these shops has its own characteristics, but all attract diners with its fresh ingredients, unique grilling methods and delicious taste. Every night, these barbecue restaurants are brightly lit, with diners sitting around the grill, savoring the delicious barbecue and talking about life, forming a lively and warm picture.
Lamb Soup: A warm comfort in winter
On a cold winter day, a steaming bowl of lamb soup is undoubtedly the warmest comfort. Ya’an’s lamb soup is loved by locals for its delicious broth and delicate meat. The goats in Ya'an are mostly farmed in the wild, with less artificial intervention, which has achieved the characteristics of local goat meat that is delicate, fat but not greasy, and fresh and not smelly. When making lamb soup, wash the lamb, cut it into large pieces, put it in a pot, add the appropriate amount of water, ginger slices, onion slices, wine and other seasonings, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and simmer. Over time, the aroma of lamb gradually spreads and the broth becomes thicker. The stewed lamb soup is milky white and fragrant. Take a sip of the soup and the delicious flavors instantly spread in your mouth and warm your whole body; eat a piece of lamb, which is tender and melts in your mouth, leaving you with endless aftertaste. In Ya'an, there are many restaurants specializing in lamb soup, among which the more famous ones are Li Mutton Soup and Wang Kee Mutton Soup. The lamb soup in these shops uses local quality lamb and uses traditional preparation techniques.
Hanyuan squeezed noodles: a unique buckwheat delicacy
Hanyuan squeezed noodles is a specialty delicacy in the Hanyuan region of Ya'an. It is loved by the locals for its unique preparation process and taste. The raw material for making squeezed noodles is mainly bitter buckwheat flour. To make it, knead the bitter buckwheat flour by mixing it with the right amount of water and knead it into a dough, then place the dough in a special noodle pressing tool and squeeze it firmly so that the dough is squeezed out of the small holes in the pressing tool to form elongated noodles. Cook the squeezed noodles in boiling water, drain and place in a bowl. Add the right seasonings such as spring onion, coriander, garlic, chili oil, pepper oil, vinegar, and soy sauce. The texture of the squeezed noodles is unique. The noodles are chewy and chewy, with the unique fragrance of bitter buckwheat. The combination of seasonings is also very particular. The spicy aroma of chili oil, the sesame aroma of pepper oil, the sourness of vinegar, and the salty aroma of soy sauce blend together to make the flavor of squeezed noodles richer. In Hanyuan, there are many small shops operating squeezed noodles. Although these small shops are not big, their business is very booming. Every dining time, the shop is always full of diners, who enjoy the delicious squeezed noodles while feeling the local customs of Hanyuan.
Tianquan Pepper Chicken: Fresh and spicy taste bomb
Tianquan Pepper Chicken is a traditional delicacy in the Tianquan area of Ya'an. Its fresh and spicy taste is endless. To make Tianquan Pepper Hemp Chicken, we select local chickens raised by local farmers. The chicken is cooked, cut into small pieces and placed in a bowl. Next, make the chili sesame sauce. Cut the pepper, green pepper, millet spicy, ginger, garlic and other ingredients into fine pieces, put in a bowl, add the appropriate amount of salt, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil and other seasonings, stir well to make pepper sesame sauce. Pour the chili sauce into the bowl with the chicken and mix well so that each piece of chicken is coated in the chili sauce. The chicken of Tianquan Pepper Chicken is tender and juicy, the taste of pepper and sesame sauce is rich and mellow, the spicy taste of pepper, the fresh fragrance of green pepper, the spicy taste of millet, and the fragrance of ginger and garlic are intertwined, forming a unique taste experience that makes people want to stop. In Tianquan, there are many restaurants where you can taste authentic Tianquan Pepper Chicken. Some of the old-fashioned restaurants, such as Qiaotou Pepper Chicken, make more authentic Pepper Chicken with their unique formula and exquisite cooking skills, which is loved by diners.
The delicacies of Ya'an are far more than that. There are also many specialties such as Yujing Bangbang Chicken, Casserole Tofu, Ya'an Noodles, and Wooden Barrel Fish. Every delicacy carries the history, culture and customs of Ya'an, and every bite makes you feel the unique charm of the city. If you are a food lover, then you must not miss the food paradise of Ya’an. Come to Ya’an for a journey on the tip of your tongue and let your taste buds roam in a sea of food. Ya'an·Sichuan