1.Daoxiao Noodles
Daoxiao Noodles are representative traditional delicacies in Shanxi, which have won wide praise for their unique taste and flavor. This type of noodle is made entirely by hand with a knife, resulting in thick and thin edges that resemble willow leaves. Its taste is smooth on the outside and firm on the inside, soft but not sticky, and the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. Paired with delicious meat broth and various side dishes, it is even more delicious. As one of the five major pasta dishes in China, Daoxiao Noodles is not only famous in Shanxi, but also nationwide. It is one of the most representative business cards of Shanxi cuisine.
2.Taiyuan Brain
Taiyuan Brain is a famous specialty snack in Shanxi, originating from the Ming and Qing dynasties and having a history of over 300 years. It is a soup like food, mainly composed of lamb, lotus root, yam, yellow wine, astragalus, and distiller’s grains, which are carefully prepared through multiple processes. This snack is not only delicious, but also has various effects such as nourishing qi, regulating yuan, nourishing deficiency, promoting blood circulation, and strengthening the stomach. In Taiyuan, people usually enjoy their minds with hat boxes, tearing them into small pieces and soaking them in their minds while eating and drinking.
3.Sheep offal cutting
Yangzajiao is a local specialty snack in Shanxi, originating from the Yuan Dynasty and named after Kublai Khan’s mother. This cuisine originated from Huairen and is different from the consumption habits of lamb in Inner Mongolia. Inner Mongolian people mainly eat lamb, while Huairen people pay more attention to sheep’s water, thus creating “sheep offal”. When making sheep offal, the heart, lungs, liver, intestines, blood, and other parts of the sheep are used. After washing, cooking, and chopping, seasonings such as Sichuan pepper, chili pepper, salt, garlic, scallions, and ginger are added. Finally, boiled meat soup and vermicelli are added and consumed together. Nowadays, it has become a well-known local cuisine in Shanxi.
4.The oil meat
Guoyou Meat is a representative delicacy in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, known as the “Three Jin One Flavor”. This dish originated from the famous city of Pingding in eastern Shanxi, with a long history of several hundred years. The production process is unique, using high-quality lean meat, starching and oiling, and then stir frying with natural black fungus, mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots and other ingredients. The finished oily meat has a golden color, a salty and fresh taste, a unique vinegar aroma, a soft on the outside and tender on the inside, and a moderate transparent sauce. This dish is a perfect embodiment of Shanxi’s local characteristics and a must try delicacy for tourists visiting Shanxi.
5.Youmian Kaolaolao(steamed oat-flour rolls with broth)
Yanmian Kaobai is a type of noodle snack found in the high-altitude regions of Shanxi, especially in the Xinzhou area. This type of noodle dish is named after its shape, which resembles the “bamboo basket” (also known as “kawasaki”) used by farmers to fetch water or store things. Yanmian Kaobai is not only popular in Shanxi, but also widely spread in Zhangjiakou, Hebei and some parts of Inner Mongolia. The production process of this noodle dish is very particular, with a strong taste and high nutritional value, containing rich nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, etc. In history, Emperor Xi praised the delicacy of Mount Wutai when he visited it.
6.Shanxi Wantuo
Shanxi Wantuo is a traditional noodle snack with a history of over a thousand years in Shanxi, which is loved by many people due to its symbolic meaning of reunion. This snack is made by mixing buckwheat flour with water, kneading it, heating and boiling it into a paste, and then letting it cool before consumption. When consumed, it is usually paired with seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and chili oil for cold mixing, making it soft, smooth, chewy, and with a refreshing and refreshing taste, making it irresistible.
7.Pingyao beef
Pingyao beef is a famous specialty of Pingyao, Shanxi Province, with a long history. It has been famous since the mid Ming Dynasty and has a production and sales history of more than 300 years. This type of beef is loved by people for its rosy appearance, fresh and tender meat, fat but not greasy, and thin but not greasy. Its unique production process includes selecting high-quality beef or old cattle for slaughter and cutting, as well as marinating with local nitrate. This type of beef not only has a fresh and tender taste, but also has the effect of nourishing the stomach and strengthening the spleen, and is a Chinese national geographical indication product.
8.Dingxiang Steamed Meat
Dingxiang steamed meat is a traditional delicacy in the northern part of Dingxiang, Shanxi. It was once a tribute to the ancient court and has now become a must-have dish at banquets. This dish is mainly made from lean pork, with added starch, vegetable oil, and various seasonings. Its characteristics are a strong meat aroma, delicate taste, and even if eaten frequently, it will not feel greasy. In addition to being nutritious, it can also effectively avoid the problems of high fat and high cholesterol. Whether it’s cold or hot, the taste of Dingxiang steamed meat is unparalleled and deeply loved by people.
9.Taigu Cake
Taigu cake is a traditional famous food in Shanxi, originating from the Qing Dynasty and becoming widely popular during the late Qing Dynasty. This type of cake is known as the “king of pastries” due to its fragrant, crispy, smooth, and soft characteristics. Taigu cake is not only sweet but not greasy, crispy but not broken, but also has a unique delicious and fragrant taste. Its surface is sprinkled with white sesame seeds, adding an enticing aroma. The freshly baked Taigu cake is even more delicious, with the aroma of wheat complementing the burnt aroma of sesame, leaving an endless aftertaste. In addition, Taigu Cake has been rated as the “China Gold Medal Tourist Snack” and is a top performer among Shanxi pastries.
10.Bean Jelly
Hunyuan liangfen is a specialty snack in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, mainly made from potato starch, dried tofu, and broad beans. This delicacy originated during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and has been passed down to this day. Its characteristics are cool and refreshing, with a tender and smooth taste. When making it, seasonings such as vinegar, garlic, chopped scallions, coriander, and chili oil are usually added to make it unique in flavor, making it a masterpiece of the Northern Mountains. Authentic Hunyuan liangfen is highly popular for its clear yet not greasy, spicy yet not astringent, simple yet unique aroma, and pure fragrance.