n the lush green mountains and waters of Lingnan, lies a city rich in history and unique flavors—Qingyuan (清远). This place is not only a tourist destination with picturesque scenery but also a paradise for food lovers. Today, let us embark on a journey to explore the unique charm of Qingyuan's ten traditional delicacies. From the fragrant Qingyuan chicken (清远鸡) to the tender and tasty Zhouxin roasted pork (洲心烧肉); from the spicy and savory Dongbi cured meats (东陂腊味) to the fresh and sweet Beijiang river seafood (北江河鲜)—each dish represents the meticulous selection and craftsmanship of Qingyuan's people. These delicacies carry rich historical and cultural significance, captivating countless diners with their unique flavors and textures. Join us as we dive into Qingyuan's culinary world and experience the happiness and satisfaction that comes from every bite!

Top Ten Must-Try Food in Qingyuan

1. Baiqie Qingyuan Chicken (白切清远鸡)

Baiqie Qingyuan Chicken, a classic in Cantonese cuisine, has won widespread acclaim for its unique texture and flavor. Known as Qingyuan Ma Chicken (清远麻鸡), this breed gets its name from the sesame-like spots on the feathers of the hens. It is one of the high-quality poultry breeds in China, boasting tender meat and a smooth skin. With selenium content more than 1.8 times that of ordinary chickens, it provides an excellent base for preparing Baiqie chicken. The cooking technique originates from traditional meat preparation methods. After selecting the finest Qingyuan chicken, it is bled, plucked, and cleaned, then simmered in gently boiling water. After cooling and cutting, it is served with a special dipping sauce. The final product has a smooth skin, tender meat, and a fragrant marrow, preserving the chicken's deliciousness and nutrition, leaving diners craving more.

2. Daoqie Ci (刀切糍)

Daoqie Ci is a unique snack and festival food from Qingyuan (清远). Made from sticky rice dough, it is cut into strips and briefly cooked in boiling goose or chicken soup, then mixed with ingredients like celery, coriander, and snow peas. The result is a dish that combines rich meaty flavors with a slippery texture, highly favored by locals. During festivals, every household prepares this delicacy, which not only satisfies the palate but also embodies family ties and festive atmosphere. The meticulous preparation process reflects the wisdom and craftsmanship of Qingyuan's people.

3. Dongbi Shuijiao (东陂水角)

Dongbi Shuijiao, a traditional snack from Lianzhou (连州) in Guangdong, is known for its unique production process and flavor. Made from high-quality glutinous rice, the dough is meticulously ground, kneaded, and steamed to create a soft and crispy texture. The filling, crafted from meat, water chestnuts, and scallions, mixed with white sugar and soy sauce, is perfectly balanced in taste. Shaped like northern dumplings but resembling southern shrimp dumplings, they are distinctive in appearance. After steaming, they are brushed with fragrant oil, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, creating an aromatic dish. Served with special mustard, sesame oil, and chili oil, the flavors are vibrant and enticing.

4. Zhouxin Shaorou (洲心烧肉)

Zhouxin Shaorou, a specialty from Qingcheng District (清城区) in Qingyuan, has been famous since the Qing Dynasty for its crispy, tender texture and sweet meat flavor. This dish carries a rich historical and cultural background, standing out among the roast meats of Qingyuan and Guangdong. What makes Zhouxin Shaorou unique is its intricate preparation process, using high-quality live pigs. After steps like removing excess fat, deboning, salting, honey glazing, and applying paper, it is slow-roasted in a family-owned earth oven with charcoal for several hours. This traditional method yields crispy skin and tender meat that melts in your mouth.

5. Dongbi Lazi (东陂腊味)

Dongbi Lazi, originating from Dongbi Town (东陂镇) in Lianzhou (连州), is a famous traditional food and a national geographical indication product in China. Its history dates back over three hundred years, celebrated for its unique production methods and flavors. Dongbi Lazi includes varieties such as cured meat, sausages, cured duck, and cured dog, made from fresh livestock, carefully marinated, and air-dried. The craft of utilizing Dongbi's unique climate for drying without roasting or smoking, and without adding nitrites or preservatives, preserves the authentic taste. With bright colors and rich flavors, Dongbi Lazi stands out among Cantonese cured meats.

6. Xingzi Kourou (星子扣肉)

Xingzi Kourou is a traditional dish from the Lianzhou region of Qingyuan, known for its unique cooking methods and exceptional taste. This dish primarily uses skin-on pork belly, meticulously prepared through boiling, frying, and steaming. The dish has a golden appearance, crispy skin, tender meat, and a rich flavor. Ingredients like taro or preserved vegetables are added during cooking, enriching the dish's texture and taste.

7. Zhouxin Dazhou (洲心大粥)

Zhouxin Dazhou, a famous traditional snack in Qingyuan, is beloved for its unique flavor and rich nutritional value. Made primarily from pig offal, including kidneys and hearts, this hearty dish retains the traditional flavors of congee. The meticulous preparation process involves high-quality rice and fresh offal, carefully cleaned, marinated, and simmered to create a thick, aromatic porridge. Not only is Zhouxin Dazhou delicious, but it is also nutritious, containing proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making it a favorite for breakfast or late-night snacks among locals.

8. Niang Tianluo (酿田螺)

Niang Tianluo is a traditional dish from Guangdong, known for its unique preparation methods and delightful flavor. Using rice snails and pork as main ingredients, the pork is minced and mixed with snail meat and various seasonings, then stuffed back into the snail shells. After careful cooking, Niang Tianluo presents a golden color, with the freshness of the snail blending perfectly with the richness of the pork, offering a rich and memorable taste. This dish is rich in nutrients, providing various health benefits, including heat-clearing and detoxifying effects.

9. Jiao Yan Ji Xiaba (椒盐鸡下巴)

Jiao Yan Ji Xiaba is a traditional snack from Qingyuan, deeply loved by diners for its unique flavor and texture. This dish uses fresh chicken chins, marinated and deep-fried to a golden color, then sprinkled with special pepper-salt seasoning and stir-fried on high heat. With a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, each bite is filled with a rich pepper-salt aroma, leaving diners wanting more. Its careful preparation and high-quality ingredients make it a rare delicacy in Qingyuan.

10. Qingyuan E Na (清远鹅乸煲)

Qingyuan E Na, a local specialty from Qingyuan, is known for its unique texture and rich nutritional value. Using the region's distinctive black-brown geese, this dish features tender meat and a delicate taste. The unique marinating process enhances the flavor of the goose, accompanied by various seasonings like fruit peels, ginger, rice wine, and Zhu Hou sauce, slow-cooked to a tender consistency. Qingyuan E Na boasts juicy goose meat and rich broth, allowing diners to savor the delicate texture and perfect blend of flavors in every bite.

Top Ten Must-Try Restaurants in Qingyuan

1. Pinwei Garden Resort (品味园山庄)

• Recommended Dishes: Clear Stewed Free-range Chicken (清炖土鸡), Mountain and Water Tofu (山水豆腐)
• Taste Profile: The free-range chicken is tender and the broth is sweet, perfectly preserving the original flavor of the ingredients; the tofu is smooth and delicate, melting in your mouth, paired with a special sauce that adds a unique taste.
• Why You Must Try: With an elegant environment, it's suitable for family gatherings or friendly get-togethers, allowing you to enjoy both natural scenery and delicious food.

2. Fanrong Farm (帆荣农庄)

• Recommended Dishes: Bamboo Rice (竹筒饭), Steamed River Fish (清蒸河鱼)
• Taste Profile: The bamboo rice is fragrant and the aroma of bamboo infuses the rice, providing a rich texture; the river fish is fresh and succulent, with the steaming method preserving its sweetness and delicate, boneless texture.
• Why You Must Try: Directly supplied by the farm, the fresh ingredients make you feel like you are in the countryside, experiencing authentic farmhouse flavors.

3. Yangshan Winter Melon Chicken (滨江路店)

• Recommended Dishes: Winter Melon Bowl Stewed Chicken (冬瓜盅炖鸡)
• Taste Profile: The winter melon bowl contains a treasure; the chicken and winter melon are stewed together, resulting in a clear and flavorful broth. The winter melon absorbs the essence of the chicken broth, becoming soft and tasty, while the chicken is even more tender.
• Why You Must Try: Full of creativity and health benefits, it's an excellent choice for cooling off in summer.

4. Longyi Dumpling Shop (龙姨粉角铺)

• Recommended Dishes: Handmade Dumplings (手工粉角)
• Taste Profile: The dumpling skin is as thin as a cicada's wings, with a variety of rich fillings like pork and shrimp, offering a chewy texture and delicious broth.
• Why You Must Try: This time-honored snack showcases years of handmade craftsmanship, with each bite paying homage to traditional flavors.

5. Juke Restaurant Sauna Chicken (聚客楼餐厅桑拿鸡)

• Recommended Dishes: Sauna Chicken (桑拿鸡)
• Taste Profile: Using a unique "sauna" cooking method, the chicken quickly locks in moisture in the steam, resulting in tender and juicy meat paired with a special sauce that offers a unique flavor.
• Why You Must Try: This novel cooking method preserves the original taste of the chicken, making it a must-try for experiencing Qingyuan's culinary culture.

6. Huahua Yi Roast Goose Theme Hall (玄真店)

• Recommended Dishes: Roast Goose (碌鹅)
• Taste Profile: The roast goose has a bright red color, crispy skin, and tender meat with a rich sauce, providing an ultimate temptation for your taste buds.
• Why You Must Try: As a specialty dish of Qingyuan, its unique flavor will leave you wanting more, making it a must-try when visiting.

7. Shizhongxian Natural Stone Pot Steamed River Fresh (天然石锅蒸汽河鲜)

• Recommended Dishes: Stone Pot Steamed Fish (石锅蒸汽鱼)
• Taste Profile: Utilizing the thermal conductivity of natural stone pots, the river fish is quickly steamed, resulting in tender and smooth meat that retains the purest flavor.
• Why You Must Try: A healthy cooking method that preserves the most authentic taste of ingredients, ideal for health-conscious diners.

8. Shangnan Claypot Chicken (上南瓦煲鸡)

• Recommended Dishes: Claypot Chicken (瓦煲鸡)
• Taste Profile: Slow-cooked in a clay pot, the chicken is tender and flavorful, with rich broth that makes each bite a sensory delight.
• Why You Must Try: Traditional cooking techniques perfectly blend the chicken's freshness with the aroma of the clay pot, creating a rare culinary delight.

9. Xiangzai Farmhouse Cuisine - Fresh Fig Chicken (翔仔农家菜·新鲜无花果浸鸡)

• Recommended Dishes: Fig Chicken (无花果浸鸡)
• Taste Profile: The sweetness of figs infuses the chicken broth, enhancing the chicken's flavor while the broth remains sweet and not greasy, offering a unique taste.
• Why You Must Try: This creative pairing perfectly combines fruit and chicken, making it a healthy and delicious choice for those seeking something new.

10. New Nongmen Hakka Courtyard (新农门客家院)

• Recommended Dishes: Salt Baked Chicken (盐焗鸡), Stuffed Tofu (酿豆腐)
• Taste Profile: The salt-baked chicken has crispy skin and tender meat, rich in salty flavor; the stuffed tofu is filled with a variety of ingredients, and its smooth texture makes it a classic Hakka dish.
• Why You Must Try: A deep dive into Hakka culture, savoring authentic Hakka cuisine, and experiencing its simplicity and warmth.

These ten restaurants each offer their unique charm and flavors. Whether you're a young diner seeking fresh excitement or a seasoned foodie who loves traditional tastes, you'll find satisfaction and happiness in Qingyuan. Take your time exploring each one!

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