1.Stewed noodles
Braised noodles are a representative delicacy of Henan province, with a history of 4000 years, known as one of the “Top Ten Noodles in China” and one of the three major snacks in Henan province. It combines various elements such as meat, vegetables, soup, and rice, with a delicious and affordable taste. The characteristic of stewed noodles lies in their strong noodles and broth. The soup base is made by boiling high-quality tender lamb and lamb bones for more than five hours, and adding seven or eight traditional Chinese medicines to make it as white and shiny as milk. In addition, there are various types of braised noodles such as lamb braised noodles, three fresh braised noodles, etc. Among them, Zhengzhou braised noodles are particularly famous and have been selected as one of the “Top Ten Famous Snacks in China”.
2.soup with pepper
Soup with pepper is a typical snack in Henan, especially in Zhoukou Xiaoyao Town. This soup is made from various natural Chinese herbs, pepper, chili, and bone soup. It has a spicy, fresh, and smooth taste, and has multiple effects such as invigorating the spleen, stimulating appetite, dispelling wind and cold, and refreshing and eye-catching. In addition to Xiaoyao Town, other places in Henan, such as Beiwudu, Xinyang, Kaifeng, Nanyang, Zhengzhou Xingyang and Ruzhou, have their own soup with pepper. This soup is not only widely circulated in Henan, but has even been named one of the “Top Ten Famous Snacks in China”.
3.Soup dumplings
Soup dumplings are a famous snack in Kaifeng, Henan, with a long history. They were popular as early as the Northern Song Dynasty. This kind of buns has a thin skin and a lot of stuffing, including meat stuffing and fresh soup, which is delicious and juicy. When eating soup dumplings, there is a saying: “Open the window first, drink the soup later, and then fill your mouth with fragrance”, which describes its unique way of eating. In addition, Kaifeng soup dumplings are rated as one of the “Top Ten Famous Snacks in China” and “Top Ten Buns in China” for their exquisite appearance and taste, and are one of the representatives of Henan’s “Thirteen Delicacies”.
4.Daokou Roast Chicken
Daokou Roast Chicken is a specialty food of Daokou Town, Hua County, Anyang City, Henan Province. It has a long history, which can be traced back to the imperial palace banquet in the Northern Song Dynasty. This roast chicken has a history of more than 300 years. The finished product is bright in color, shaped like a gold ingot, and the fragrance can spread ten miles. It is known as the “best chicken in the world” and is as famous as Beijing roast duck and Jinhua ham. It is a national geographical indication protected product. In 1981, it was rated as a national famous and high-quality product by the Ministry of Commerce, and it is well-known throughout China and abroad.
5.Soybean Noodle
Jiang noodles are a traditional delicacy in Luoyang, Henan, also known as sour noodles. The unique feature is that a special sour sauce is used to cook the noodles. This noodle is very popular all over Henan, especially in places with a large flow of people, such as train stations and markets. It tastes sour and delicious, easy to digest, and has rich layers, including a thick texture, slightly sandy sesame leaves, soft and mushy noodles, and sweet pickled vegetable shreds and celery grains. This simple and delicious noodle dish not only represents the spirit of Henan, but also quietly nourishes generations of people.
6.Kaifeng Peanut Cake
Kaifeng Peanut Cake is a traditional famous dish in Kaifeng, Henan Province. It originated from the palace Dim sum in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is made from carefully selected peanut kernels as the main ingredient, supplemented with white sugar, maltose, etc., through processes such as sugar boiling, sugar extraction, dough filling, and knife cutting to shape. The finished product is in the form of flakes, with distinct layers and grids, high looseness, and a sweet and non stick taste. It has a lingering aftertaste and comes in various flavors such as rose, sesame, and salt and pepper. It is crispy and delicious, melts in the mouth, has a strong peanut flavor, is not greasy to eat, and is affordable.
7.Luoyang Water Seat
Luoyang Shuixi is a traditional banquet in the Luoyang area of Henan Province, belonging to the Yu cuisine series. It was founded in the Tang Dynasty and has a history of more than 1000 years. It is the oldest preserved banquet dish in China to date. Its characteristics include a variety of meat and vegetables, a wide selection of ingredients, diverse flavors, and a perfect balance of sourness, spiciness, sweetness, and saltiness. Luoyang water mat has two meanings: one is that all hot dishes have soup; The second is to finish one hot dish, then take it back and serve another, constantly updating it like flowing water.
8.Puyang Zhuangmo
Puyang Zhuangmo is a representative specialty food in Puyang, Henan. It originated during the war period in the ancient Central Plains region and was born as a dry food for soldiers. This snack is golden in color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It is fresh but not gamey, fragrant but not greasy. Zhuangmo is divided into two types: vegetarian and meat. Among them, meat is made with meat and seasonings, and lamb Zhuangmo, which is paired with lamb, has been selected as one of the “Top Ten Chinese Regional Snacks” in Henan Province. In addition, Puyang Zhuangmo has also won multiple honors, such as Henan’s Top Ten Traditional Flavored Snacks, Henan Province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, and China’s Gold Medal Tourist Snacks.
9.Yellow River carp
Yellow River carp is a traditional famous dish in Henan province, belonging to the Yu cuisine series. This dish is mainly made with carp from the Yellow River, supplemented with shredded shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, scallions, ginger, garlic, eggs and other ingredients, and steamed. Its color is bright red, the meat is tender, fat but not greasy, the taste is soft and sticky, and the lips and teeth have a lingering fragrance. The Yellow River carp has been a unique delicacy in the Central Plains region since ancient times, praised by many literati and scholars, and even a tribute to the royal family during the Qing Dynasty. Its production method is simple, but it has a delicious taste and rich nutrition, which is deeply loved by diners.
10.Carp noodles
Carp baked noodles are a traditional specialty dish in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, and have been rated as one of the top ten classic dishes in Henan Province, known as “Chinese cuisine”. This dish is made from two famous dishes: sweet and sour fish and baked noodles. It is characterized by a red color, soft and tender aroma, sweet with a hint of sourness, and slightly salty with a hint of sourness. The main raw material for carp baked noodles is Yellow River carp. After initial processing, the two sides of the fish are sliced into ridges and patterns using a slope knife. The fish is then deep fried in hot oil and seasoned with a suitable amount of white sugar, vinegar, ginger powder, cooking wine, salt, and other seasonings to dry the sauce. Finally, the sauce is sprinkled with a sauce. This dish was well-known as early as the Song Dynasty and is a must try delicacy for tourists visiting Kaifeng.