A Pingdingshan Food Guide Full of Local Flavors

As an important tourist city in Henan, Pingdingshan's cuisine integrates the essence of Henan cuisine with local characteristics, which is both rustic and full of urban flavors. I. Must-Try Local Foods 1. Meat Feast Sanlangmiao Beef Special Features: Made with Jia County red cattle and marinated with natural spices, the beef is firm, fragrant, and tender. It can be eaten immediately or vacuum-packed. Recommended Store: Sanlangmiao's time-honored store. Look for the "Yuquan" water-marinated logo. Baofeng Maigen Roasted Chicken Special Features: Stewed in a century-old broth, the chicken is boneless and tender, with a strong spice flavor. Even the bones can be chewed. Lushan Braised Mutton Special Features: Beef and mutton are stewed in layers, with crispy meat on top and diced meat on the bottom. It is oily, fragrant, and rich, and is best served with rice. 2. Soup Classics Mutton Soup (Baofeng) Special Features: The mutton is repeatedly rinsed and filtered with boiling soup to remove the gamey taste and retain the freshness. The soup is as white as milk, salty, spicy, and warms the stomach. It is a local breakfast staple. Recommended Store: Old stores on Baofeng Street. It is more authentic when eaten with baked pancakes. Lushan Mutton Offal Soup Special Features: Mutton bones + pork bones are used to make the soup, which is milky white, fresh, and rich. The offal is soft and glutinous, and the preserved vegetables add freshness. It is cost-effective. 3. Noodles and Snacks Jia County Heluo Noodles Special Features: Thick, round noodles with mutton oil, chili peppers, and fresh mutton soup are strong and smooth. Hot soup is served in winter and cold noodles are served in summer. Recommendation: Time-honored store on West Street, Jia County. Serve with pickled garlic to relieve the greasiness. Wugang Hot Tofu Special Features: Tofu is made with pulp water, as tender as pudding, and drizzled with chili garlic sauce. It bursts with juice in your mouth and costs CNY 5/bowl. Wugang Salty Tofu Pudding Special Features: Tofu pudding with wild mountain vegetables and sesame leaves, served with green pepper and soybean side dishes. It is salty, fragrant, and unique. 4. Other Specialty Dishes Lushan Mixed Dish: Meatballs, sweet potato noodles, and tofu are braised and seasoned with Chinese herbal medicine. It is salty, fragrant, and good with rice. Jia County Tofu Dish: Tofu + sweet potato noodles with more than a dozen seasonings. It is fragrant but not greasy. Wugang Wild Mountain Vegetables: Limited to spring, Dilonca and Sophora flowers are stir-fried or served cold, with a wild vegetable fragrance. II. Recommended Souvenirs 1. Food Zhangliang Ginger: A specialty of Lushan, it is spicy and rich, and is essential for stewing meat to remove the gamey taste. You can buy ginger candy or ginger slices. Baofeng Liquor: A representative of light-fragrance liquor, it is a national intangible cultural heritage craft and is suitable for gifts. Jia County Red Beef Jerky: Sanlangmiao beef is vacuum-packed and ready to eat, with a firm texture. 2. Handicrafts Ru Porcelain: One of the five famous porcelains in China, the sky-blue glazed tea sets and ornaments have both collection and practical value. Lushan Silk: Traditional brocade with a delicate feel, suitable for buying scarves or small accessories. III. Food Route Planning One-Day Tour Itinerary Lunch: Jia County Heluo Noodles (West Street) → Sanlangmiao Beef. Afternoon: Visit Jia County Ancient City and taste Jia County Tofu Dish and Pohe Radish (seasonal). Dinner: Baofeng Mutton Soup (old store) → Wugang Hot Tofu + Salty Tofu Pudding for supper. Two-Day Tour Day 1: Lushan Mixed Dish (lunch) → Yaoshan Scenic Area → Taste stewed mutton at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain. Day 2: Baofeng Maigen Roasted Chicken (breakfast) → Zhongyuan Grand Buddha Scenic Area → Bring Zhangliang Ginger and Baofeng Liquor on the return trip. IV. Useful Tips 1. Avoid the Pitfalls Be cautious about the food around the scenic spots, and give priority to the old stores that locals often visit (such as Jia County Heluo Noodles, look for the "Time-honored Brand" sign). Don't order the "high-quality lamb" set for mutton soup. Ordinary mutton soup is more authentic. 2. Transportation Recommendations The food in the urban area is concentrated in Xinhua District and Weidong District, with convenient public transportation; it is recommended to drive or charter a car to remote attractions (such as Yaoshan). 3. Seasonal Tips There are many wild mountain vegetables in spring (Wugang), cold Heluo noodles are more popular in summer, and hot soups are best in winter. Pingdingshan's cuisine is characterized by "freshness, saltiness, and spiciness", which combines boldness and delicacy. It is recommended to go on an empty stomach and prepare your stomach to accommodate the layers of delicious roasted chicken, mutton soup, and hot tofu!