Page 14 - Yunnan Tourism Culture Times (97)

13 FOOD | 好吃

红河，

美食天堂！

By Li Jie □ 李捷 / 文

For foodies, the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Pre-
fecture in the southeast of Yunnan Province is a true haven,
offering a diverse array of rice noodles, creative tofu dishes,
and vibrant night market barbecue gatherings.

米线百十种，豆腐吃出花，夜市“烧烤趴”，对于吃货而言，
云南省东南部的红河哈尼族彝族自治州宛如人间天堂！

In Honghe, rice noodles take center residents’ favorite garlic oil and point-
stage in the local cuisine. From dawn ed chili, this flavorful tofu and the chi-
till dusk, these rice noodles grace the li’s heat promise to tantalize your taste
dining tables of Honghe residents with- buds.
out fail. In the mornings, crossing-the- Another specialty in Honghe is jelly
bridge rice noodles provide a hearty tofu, highly favored by food enthusi-
start to the day, followed by a simple asts. True to its name, this tofu has a
bowl of cold rice noodles at noon, and gelatinous interior that, when baked
stir-fried rice noodles at the lively bar- and cracked open, resembles melted
becue stalls for evening snacks. The cheese. Featuring a delicately crispy
people of Honghe exhibit their deep crust and an exceptionally soft interi-
affection for rice noodles through this or, this type of tofu boasts a rich and
daily culinary ritual. pleasing taste. The talented chefs of
Another beloved delicacy among Honghe have even crafted an exclusive
the people of Honghe is tofu. Shiping all-tofu banquet, a unique dining ex-
tofu and Jianshui tofu each have their perience featuring a wide selection of
own devoted followers. It’s a familiar tofu dishes.
scene to see a gathering of individuals Barbecues are a timeless favorite
sitting around a charcoal fire, observing for late-night snacks in Honghe. Prac-
tofu slowly cooking over the glowing tically any edible item can be grilled,
embers, gradually puffing up and emit- ranging from sugar and flour-coated
ting a fragrant aroma. When cracked pork skewers, pork cracklings, marbled
open, the tofu remains steamy hot. pork, brown rice-filled sausages, yel-
While the smell may not be universally low croakers, chicken feet, grasshop-
appealing, the taste is truly delightful. pers, bamboo worms, eggplants, enoki
Shiping tofu is known for its firm mushrooms, pumpkins, jelly tofu, and
and springy texture. When baked, the grass shoots. Other delicacies such as
tofu develops a golden, slightly charred drunken shrimp, drunken crab, and
skin that enhances its overall mouth- spicy crayfish are also popular choices.
feel. Breaking it open reveals a dense Notably, Luxi-style roasted potatoes
network of air pockets, symbolizing are accompanied by a variety of dip-
the signature elasticity of Shiping tofu. ping sauces that can be mixed and
Paired with a touch of locally-made matched freely, transforming a com-
yellow spicy dipping sauce or Honghe mon dish into a luxurious indulgence.