Zhengzhou Dining

Zhengzhou dining will bring you some information about what to eat and where to eat in Zhengzhou, including Zhengzhou dishes, Zhengzhou snacks, Zhengzhou restaurants and Henan cuisine restaurants. With its long history, Henan Province is a cradle of ancient Chinese culture, making it an abundance of historical sites and a rich culture, one of which is Henan Cuisine(Yu Cuisine). As the capital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou undoubtedly takes Yu Cuisine as its main menu.

What to Eat in Zhengzhou

Among numerous Henan featured foods, Henan stewed noodles, mutton soup and braised cake(焖饼) are that you can't miss. In addition, there are I-fu Noodles(伊府面), Shaoxian Dumplings(邵鲜饺子), Lotus Seed Pod Fish(莲蓬鱼), Zhengzhou Roasted Beef(郑州烧牛肉), Fried Eight Cutlets(炸八块) and other local special dishes. 

Flour Food in Zhengzhou

The staple food of Zhengzhou people is mainly cooked wheaten food, among white flour food is given priority to, and coarse grain flour is only used as nutrition collocation, with small demend. Common foods made of flour include steamed buns, vegetable bun, lubricating roll, steamed stuffed buns, pancake, deep-fried dough cake, fried leek dumplings, baked wheat cake, fried bread stick and so on. Zhengzhou people particularly like to eat noodles, and there are many kinds of noodles, like soup noodles, lo mein, noodles with soybean paste, fried noodles, stewed noodles and so on. 

Henan Stewed Noodles(河南烩面)

Henan Stewed Noodles is one of China's Top Ten Noodles and one of Henan's Three Major Snacks. It has a long history. It is a traditional snack, and has become a well-known delicacy in Zhengzhou for its delicious taste, economical and practical. Outsiders often come to taste it. Henan stewed noodles uses high-quality high-gluten flour as raw material, supplemented by soup-stock and a variety of side dishes. 

Flowering Buns(开花馍)

Flowering bun can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty. Today's flowering steamed buns are made by adding a proper amount of white sugar to the dough after it is fully fermented, then shaping and steaming to a certain extent. After steamed, the top of the steamed bun will blossom evenly like a flower, which is why it is called a flowering steamed bun. And it tastes soft and sweet.

Lotus Leaf Shaped Pancake

Lotus leaf shaped pancake in Dawei Town is a high-grade snack with unique flavor. It is named for its lotus leaf shape and is produced in Dawei Town, Xinmi city. The production of lotus leaf cakes in Dawei Town began in the late Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 180 years.

Dengfeng Sesame Seed Cake(登封焦盖烧饼) 

Dengfeng Sesame Seed Cake is one of the most representative traditional famous  dim sums in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, and it is well-known both at home and abroad. Legend has it that Dengfeng people created the special food in memory of Yue Fei's resistance to Jin kingdom and in order to express their resentment against Qin Gui. At first, the shape of the food was similar to that of a soft-shelled turtle, but later it evolved into the current round shape. Sesame-covered baked wheat cake is best for its golden color, fresh taste, crispness and roundness. In the past, the Sun Family baked wheat cake and the Ma Family baked wheat cake were the best in color, aroma and shape, and the supply was short of demand.

Chongyang Flower Cake(重阳花糕)

According to legend, Chongyang Flower Cake is a seasonal tribute specially made by the imperial chef of the Ming dynasty imperial court for the emperor Zhengde. It could be eaten easily when Emperor Zhengde went out to climb mountains and hunt in autumn every year. Most of them are made of various fruit materials with unique flavor, sweet and glutinous taste.

Youmotou(油馍头)

Zhengzhou people have had a long history of eating Youmotou, which is a famous snack in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Henan people like to eat it as breakfast. In the morning, people in the north are accustomed to eating Youmotou together with soybean milk or spicy soup.

Local Featured Dishes

Spicy Soup(胡辣汤)

Spicy soup is a common soup food for breakfast in northern China. Spicy soup is common in the breakfast stalls on the streets, is characterized by mild spicy, rich nutrition and catchy taste, and is very suitable for matching with other breakfast foods. The main production materials of spicy soup include spicy soup materials, pepper, chili, cooked mutton/beef, goat bone soup-stock, gluten, flour, starch noodles, day lily, peanut, agaric, etc.

Stewed Mutton(烩羊肉)

Stewed mutton is a famous special food in Henan, which is popular in Dengfeng and has been widely spread in Henan area. It is a major characteristic of famous dish in Henan. The main ingredients include mutton slices, agaric, vermicelli, scallion, fungus, ginger, chili powder, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, Chinese herbs and spices, etc. 

Shrimp and Asparagus Omelette(铁锅蛋)

Shrimp and Asparagus Omelette is a famous dish with special features in Henan province, belonging to Henan cuisine. It is tasty, with red and yellow color, moist and bright, resh and tender, long aftertaste. The main ingredients include eggs, diced ham, diced water chestnut, shrimp eggs and dried shrimp, monosodium glutamate, cooking wine, salt water, etc.  

Grilled Fish Maw/Pa Guang Du(扒广肚)

Grilled Fish Maw is a traditional famous dish with perfect combination of color, aroma and taste, belonging to Henan cuisine. Grilled Fish Maw is a famous traditional dish in Henan, which has been among the treasures for thousands of years. It has been listed as one of the "Eight Treasures of the Sea" since ancient times. It was first recorded in the book Qi Min Yao Shu in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and by the Tang and Song Dynasties, Fish Maw had been listed as a tribute. Many books in Song Dynasty have records of Fish Maw and introduction of dishes. On September 10, 2018, "Chinese food" was officially released, and Grilled Fish Maw was named as Henan's top ten classic famous dishes.

Deep-fried Crispy Meat(炸紫酥肉)

The Deep-fried Crispy Meat in Zhengzhou is made of hard streaky pork, which is soaked, boiled, flattened and sliced, then pickled with scallion, ginger, anise, perilla leaves and seasonings, then steamed, finally deep-fried for 40-50 minutes.

Laojun Braised Chicken(老君烧鸡)

Laojun braised chicken in Gongyi City of Zhengzhou is known as "a famous food in the central plains". It has the characteristics of high quality materials, fine workmanship, beautiful shape and bright color. There are more than 10 Chinese herb medicines in the soup, which have a good effect of nourishing. 

Menzi(焖子)

Menzi is a special dish popular in the east of Dengfeng. According to legend, when Jing Dongyang(景东扬), a Dengfeng celebrity in Qing Dynasty, was poor at his childhood. During Spring Festival, because there was no money to bus meat, his monther put the cooking starch, minced meat and starch noodles into the cooked bone soup, hence Menzi, this kind of local snack, formed. Later on, due to the influence of Jing Dongyang, this snack is popular in the east of Dengfeng and neighboring counties. 

Liyu Sanchi/Three Cooking Methods of Carp(鲤鱼三吃)

Huanghe (Yellow River) carp is actually a common kind of fish but those from the Yellow River are known for their fresh quality and nutritious value. If you would like to try this delicious fish when in Zhengzhou, you can order a dish named Liyu Sanchi (Three cooking methods of carp) in Henan style restaurants. 

Where to Eat in Zhengzhou

Yu Cuisine Restaurants

When you come to Zhengzhou, how can you not have a meal of authentic Henan cuisine? Grilled Fish Maw(扒广肚), Deep-fried Crispy Meat(炸紫酥肉), Liyu Sanchi(鲤鱼三吃) and other dishes are the representatives of classic Yu Cuisine. 

  • Henan Restaurant(河南食府)
    Add: Wanqian Century City, Renhe Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区人和路万千世纪城
    Tel: 18516768627
  • Henan Restaurant(河南食府)
    Add: No.25, Renmin Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区人民路25号
    Tel: 0371-66213336/0371-66222108
  • Yuhe Steamed Bun Soup(豫和馍菜汤)
    Add: Shichang Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou郑州市中原区市场街
    Tel: 0371-56616819/0371-67665852
  • Yuhe Steamed Bun Soup(豫和馍菜汤)
    Add: Hezuo Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区合作路
    Tel: 18838128617/13783590266
  • A Wu Cate(阿五美食)
    Add: Intersection of Dongfeng Road and Tianze Street, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区东风路与天泽街交汇处
    Tel: 0371-69355555
  • A Wu Huanghe Carp(阿五黄河大鲤鱼)
    Add: No.88-3, Jianye Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区建业路88-3号
    Tel: 0371-60278888/0371-60279898
  • Dingjia Restaurant(丁家酒楼)
    Add: No.1-3, Shangcheng Road, Guancheng Hui District, Zhengzhou郑州市管城回族区商城路1-3号
    Tel: 0371-66362668/0371-66307870
  • Yi Jian Ren(一家人)
    Add: No.73, Huaihe West Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区淮河西路73号
    Tel: 0371-68883668
  • Dadi Laomocun(大地烙馍村)
    Address: Intersection of Second Ring Branch Road and Songshan North Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区二环支路与嵩山北路交叉口
    Tel: 0371-63939465
  • Zhengzhou Roast Duck(郑州烤鸭)
    Address: No.10, Renmin Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区人民路10号
    Tel: 0371-66252796/0371-66266197/0371-66231074

Mutton Soup Houses(羊汤馆)

  • Guoguo Mutton Soup(虢国羊肉汤馆)
    Address: No.22, Nongye Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区农业路22号
    Tel: 0371-87000979
  • Tieji Mutton Soup(帖记羊肉汤)
    Address: No.108-5, Jiantong Road, Zhengda Market South Street, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区郑大市场南街交通路108-5号
    Tel: 17737611269
  • Dujia Mutton Soup(杜家羊肉汤馆)
    Address: No.29, Xingyue Residential Quarter, Qingzhen Street, Guancheng Hui District, Zhengzhou郑州市管城回族区清真寺街星月小区29号
    Tel: 0371-66290492
  • Xinhongnong Lingbao Mutton Soup(新弘农灵宝羊肉汤)
    Address: Intersection of Nongye East Road and Tianrui Street, Zhengdong New District, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区郑东新区农业东路与天瑞街交叉口
    Tel: 0371-86563003

Snack Shops in Zhengzhou

Some popular snacks like spicy soup, rice skin and Menzi have been widely spread in Zhengzhou, and are delicious snacks enjoyed by people in Zhengzhou, with affordable price. 

  • Wang San Rice Skin(王三米皮店)
    Address: Dehua East Street, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区德化东街
    Tel: 15938728038
  • Fang Zhong Shan Spicy Soup(方中山胡辣汤)
    Address: Intersection of Zijingshan Road and Shunhe Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区紫荆山路与顺河路交叉口
    Tel: 0371-66302188
  • Fang Zhong Shan Spicy Soup(方中山胡辣汤)
    Address: Intersection of Jingqi Road and Hongzhuan Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区经七路与红专路交叉口
    Tel: 13526890817
  • Fang Da Tong Spicy Soup(方大同胡辣汤)
    Address: No.193, West Street, Guancheng Hui District, Zhengzhou郑州市管城回族区西大街193号
    Tel: 0371-88567859

Time-honored Restaurants

Zhengzhou, a city with a long history, naturally has many time-honored delicacies, and the ancient food culture has been handed down to this day. In a time-honored restaurant, it is also a good experience to taste delicious food and recall the time gone by.

  • Lao Cai Ji(老蔡记)
    Address: The Second Building of Dehua Street, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区德化街2号楼
    Tel: 0371-66950885/18539939754
  • Geji Braised Cake(葛记焖饼)
    Address: No.124, Funiu Road, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou郑州市中原区伏牛路124号
    Tel: 0371-67869797
  • Heji(合记)
    Address: No.67, Daxue Middle Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou郑州市二七区大学中路67号
    Tel: 0371-68977501
  • Xiaoji Stewed Noodles(萧记三鲜烩面)
    Address: Intersection of Huanghe Road and Yaozhai Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou郑州市金水区黄河路与姚砦路交叉口
    Tel: 0371-68969888

Food Streets in Zhengzhou

Dehua Food Street(德化美食街)

Dehua street is a commercial street of Erqi business circle in Erqi district, Zhengzhou city. Built in 1905, it is the oldest commercial street in Zhengzhou. Dehua street has been one of the busiest streets in Zhengzhou since before liberation. It is not only a commercial street, but also famous for time-honored snacks in Zhengzhou. Lao Cai Ji, He Ji and many other famous time-honored restaurants are located here.

Erqi Square(二七广场)

Erqi square is the most prosperous business district in the center of Zhengzhou city, and also the largest and most representative business district in Henan province. Around the square are Hualian commerical building and other large shopping malls, as well as hundreds of small and medium-sized restaurants. With reasonable prices and a wide range of food, Erqi square is a must for foreign tourists.

Tianze Street(天泽街) 

Tianze street is nearly kilometers long, north to Dongfeng east road, south to Longhu outer ring road. It is the earliest food street in Zhengdong new district. On this one-kilometer street, dozens of different flavor of the food shop gathered within 6 years. Dou Lao, stewed noodles, northeast cuisine, Hunan cuisine and so on, are numerous. 

Zijingshan Park(紫荆山公园)

Zijingshan is another lively place in Zhengzhou, surrounded by food shops, including the exotic Brazilian barbecue, Henan Restaurant, Zhengzhou Roast Duck and other Yu cuisine restaurants , as well as famous Heji stewed noodles, etc. 

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Edited by Amy Cha/茶国香

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