Owing to its history of serving as the capital of a number of dynasties,
food in Luoyang is quite unique, typically featured the Yu Cuisine
which attaches great importance to soup preparing.
Water Banquet
Luoyang Water Banquet (Luoyang Shuixi), also called soup banquet,
is not simply a drinking test, but one of the most traditional Chinese
cuisines. The history of this local custom can be traced back over
a thousand years. Luoyang is a city surrounded by mountains, and
the weather here is cold and dry. In ancient time, people hardly
got any fruit to enjoy, thus they invented various soup to make up
the need of water.
Unlike most meal customs in China, the dishes served in this banquet
are brought one after another, like flowing water, hence the name "Water
Banquet". And around one third of the dishes served are soup
or semi-soup ones. There’re 24 courses in the banquet, noted for its
various soups with sour and spicy flavors.
Carp
 Carp
is arguably the most beloved dish in Luoyang. It is said that in the
golden olden days of Luoyang, when the capital was swathed in mystery
and paved with gold, the fish itself could cost as much as a whole
live ox! The dish itself is considered as a great delicacy in these
parts, beloved for its tender flesh, nutritional benefits and the
stylish design of each dish.
The ideal carp dish is designed with
subtle skill. The carp, with its head held high above the plate, is
masterfully placed, seeming to be leaping over the cabbage "gorge" at
the side of the plate, a symbol of competitive spirit. The dish also
is known in these parts as "Carp Leaping over the Gorge".
Zhangji Roast Chicken
Zhangji Roast Chicken (Zhangji kaoji) has long been a household
course in the Luoyang area; it is quite a tasty dish.
This version of the traditional roast chicken was allegedly first
created through a secret recipe by a man with the surname Zhang. Nowadays
this dish has become a popular dish and snack food for locals and
travelers alike.
Sour and Spicy Soup
Although it may seem strange for us to place such a simple soup
here, let it not be said in front of the locals that the Luoyang Sweet
and Sour Soup (Luoyang bufangtang) is for simple taste buds. Great
fervor is taken by the Luoyangese in draining large bowls of this
eye-watering soup, a great way to clear the tubes.
The best of these soups are made
with xianggu mushroom, laver, vermicelli, and dried shrimps placed
in boiling water with starch, pepper and liberal quantities of vinegar.
Featured Local restaurants
Baxiangong Restaurant
Add: 2 kilometer south of the Guanlin,
close to the Luolong Boulevard.
Tel: 0379-6597 4809
Zhenbutong Restaurant
Add: No359 Zhongzhou Zhong Lu, east
of the Xiguan Bus Stop.
Tel: 0379-3955787
Xinghualou Restaurant
Add: Renmin Road, W.
Tel: 0379-3935142
Luoyang Restaurant
Add: Zhongzhou Road, M.
Tel: 0379-3934260
Zhenbutong Restaurant
Add: Zhongzhou Road, E., Old District
Tel: 0379-3952338 |
