Features: There are two flavors, sweet and salty. The sweet one has fillings like rose petal sugar and is fragrant; the salty one usually has ham, scallions, etc. added. The outer skin is crispy, and the inside is soft with rich layers.
Recommended Shops: Generally, in some traditional snack shops in the Old Town of Lijiang, you can taste more authentic ones, such as some old shops near Sifang Street.
Jidou Liangfen (Chickpea Jelly)
Features: Made from chickpeas (a kind of bean), the jelly is black in appearance. When served cold, it is added with seasonings like chili, vinegar, scallions, ginger, and garlic, and is sour and spicy and refreshing; the stir-fried Jidou Liangfen is soft and glutinous with a different flavor.
Recommended Shops: The Jidou Liangfen at Dashiqiao Snack (located next to Dashiqiao in the Old Town of Lijiang) is highly praised by tourists.
Meat Dishes
Lapai Gu (Preserved Pork Ribs) Hot Pot
Features: Using locally preserved pork ribs as the main ingredient, after stewing, the pork ribs are tender with a unique preserved flavor. The accompanying vegetables are rich and varied, such as tomatoes, potatoes, bean sprouts, cabbage, etc., which become more and more flavorful when boiled in the rich broth.
Recommended Shops: Ama Lapai Gu (near the south gate of the Old Town of Lijiang) is quite famous, with sufficient portions and authentic taste in the shop.
Naxi Kaorou (Naxi-style Roast Meat)
Features: The pork is marinated and then roasted over a charcoal fire. The outer skin is golden and crispy, and the inside meat is juicy. It is usually served with a special dipping sauce with a unique spice flavor.
Recommended Shops: Some barbecue shops in the Old Town of Lijiang can offer good Naxi Kaorou, such as some stalls in Yinghua Food Square.
Special Snacks
Miguanchang (Rice Sausage in Pig Intestine)
Features: Made by stuffing glutinous rice, pig blood and other raw materials into pig intestines, it can be eaten directly after steaming or fried. The fried Miguanchang has a crispy outer skin and a soft and glutinous inside, with a special aroma of pig blood.
Recommended Shops: Some snack stalls in Zhongyi Market sell freshly made Miguanchang.
Butter Tea
Features: Made from tea, butter and other raw materials, it has a rich flavor and comes in two flavors, salty and sweet. It can help resist the cold climate in Lijiang’s high-altitude area and is also an important drink to experience the local diet culture of ethnic groups such as Tibetans and Naxis.
Recommended Shops: Some Tibetan restaurants or traditional Naxi restaurants can offer authentic butter tea, such as Tibetan Family Visit Restaurant (near Shuhe Ancient Town).
Recommended Food Streets
Old Town of Lijiang
Sifang Street
Features: There are many stalls and restaurants of Lijiang special snacks gathered here. Besides the above-mentioned Lijiang Baba and Jidou Liangfen, there are also various skewers, fruit salads and other delicious foods. Tasting food in an antique atmosphere is a special experience.
Recommended Shops: In addition to the previously mentioned Dashiqiao Snack, there is also No.1 Sifang Street (located in the center of Sifang Street, where you can taste a variety of Naxi special foods).
Wuyi Street
Features: It is relatively quiet compared to Sifang Street. There are many special private kitchens and literary cafes, small bars, etc. Here you can find some creative Naxi cuisine cooking methods and enjoy a pleasant leisure time after a tiring walk.
Recommended Shops: Grandma Wen’s Kitchen (in the middle section of Wuyi Street, with a warm environment, delicate and characteristic dishes).
Shuhe Ancient Town
Feihuachushui
Features: There are many restaurants and bars built by the water around. When the lights are on at night, the atmosphere is romantic. The food mainly features Naxi characteristics, and there are also some creative dishes that integrate other local flavors.
Recommended Shops: Daidai Mama Cuisine (located near Feihuachushui, with a beautiful environment, good taste of dishes and high cost performance).
Dietary Precautions
Freshness of Ingredients
When choosing to eat meat dishes such as Lapai Gu and Naxi Kaorou, pay attention to observing the freshness of the ingredients to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by eating stale meat.
Adapting to High-altitude Diet
Lijiang is located on a highland. When you first arrive, you may have a poor appetite due to factors such as air pressure. You can start with light foods, such as butter tea which helps relieve the discomfort caused by altitude sickness. At the same time, pay attention to eating in moderation and avoid overeating.
Respecting Local Diet Culture
For example, when eating some traditional Naxi foods, respect their unique production techniques and flavor characteristics and do not criticize or waste food casually.
