A Gift from 31°N: Why is Tongjiang Known as the "Hometown of White Fungus in China"?

Located in northeastern Sichuan, Tongjiang lies in the Daba Mountains fold belt, where the humid, misty climate nurtures the world's finest white fungus. Local farmers adhere to the ancient "nine drying and nine sunning" method, using bamboo sieves for natural air drying. This process gives Tongjiang white fungus its signature characteristics: thick, glutinous texture, and rich selenium content. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* has long recorded that "white fungus moistens the lungs, nourishes yin, and prolongs life." Emperor Qianlong even listed it as a tribute. Today, white fungus has been deeply integrated into Tongjiang's daily diet, from morning white fungus soup to late-night hot pot ingredients, representing the city's culinary essence. [Exploring the Heart of the Daba Mountains: Tongjiang Food Map] A Culinary Secret of Northeast Sichuan, This Delicious Flavor Will Be Unforgettable! Located in northeastern Sichuan, Tongjiang lies in the Daba Mountains fold belt, where the humid, misty climate nurtures the world's finest white fungus. Local farmers adhere to the ancient "nine drying and nine sunning" method, using bamboo sieves for natural air drying. This process gives Tongjiang white fungus its signature characteristics: thick, glutinous texture, and rich selenium content. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* has long recorded that "white fungus moistens the lungs, nourishes yin, and prolongs life." Emperor Qianlong even listed it as a tribute. Today, white fungus has been deeply integrated into Tongjiang's daily diet, from morning white fungus soup to late-night hot pot ingredients, representing the city's culinary essence. 🔥 A Culinary Adventure: Must-Try Food Guide to Tongjiang 1. Tongjiang White Fungus Soup (Intangible Cultural Heritage) - Recommended Restaurant: "Yin Er Xuan" (South Gate Street Branch), a century-old establishment - Must-Try Reason: Simmered for 6 hours with freshly picked white fungus, local chicken, and goji berries, the soup is as thick as milk. Opens at 6am, and those wanting the first pot often queue for half an hour. Tip: Best enjoyed in autumn and winter, paired with brown sugar ginger tea to ward off cold and warm the body. 2. Tongjiang Ran Mian (Burning Noodles) (The Soul of Basha Night Market) - Recommended Stall: "Li Ji Ran Mian" (Clock Alley Entrance) at the night market - Must-Try Reason: Chewy alkaline noodles, special chili oil that is fragrant but not overly spicy, and toppings stir-fried with local Tongjiang broad bean paste, creating a spicy and savory flavor. Hidden Tip: Add a spoonful of crispy pork lard for a richer taste! 3. Tongjiang Tofu Feast (The City's "Tofu Obsession") - Signature Dishes: Eight Treasure Tofu, Spicy Mapo Tofu, and Fish Fried with Tofu Dregs - Recommended Restaurant: "Shan Zhen Tofu Zhuang" (Nuojiang Town Commercial Street) - Fun Fact: Tongjiang residents consume over 100 kg of tofu per year, thanks to the mineral-rich local water that makes the tofu exceptionally tender and smooth. Must-Try Combo: Tofu pudding with freshly ground soy milk, a perfect breakfast! 4. Basha Mountain Cured Bacon (Smoked Nostalgia) - Best Source: Tiefo Town Rural Cooperative - Serving Suggestions: Hot pot, steamed, or stir-fried with vegetables - How to Identify Quality: Golden and crispy skin, 3:7 fat-to-lean ratio, melts in your mouth. Tip: Pair with Tongjiang buckwheat cakes to cut through the richness! 5. Tongjiang "Ten Big Bowls" (A Feast for Guests) - Core Dishes: Braised Pork Knuckle, Steamed Silver Carp, Steamed Pork with Rice Flour, and Cold Shredded Chicken - Traditional Presentation: Served on a red-lacquered eight-immortal table, nine dishes symbolizing good fortune. Hidden Menu: The final dish, "Egg Sponge Cake," is a favorite treat for local children. 6. Tongjiang Sour and Spicy Noodles (A Paradise for Spice Lovers) - Popular Restaurant: "Jiao Ma Gong She" (Pedestrian Street) - Signature Recipe: Chewy sweet potato noodles, fragrant fermented bamboo shoots, and customizable chili oil (from mild to extra spicy). Add-in Mania: Add crispy peas and crushed peanuts for an explosion of textures! 7. Tongjiang Potato Cakes (A Carb Lover's Dream) - Preparation: Steamed mountain potatoes are pounded until sticky, then coated with soybean flour, sugar, or chili powder. - Street Food King: Made and sold fresh on market days. Enjoy them warm and gooey, or slice and fry them after they cool. 8. Tongjiang Wild Mushroom Soup Pot (Summer Wellness at Its Finest) - Seasonal Delicacy: June to September, when matsutake, porcini, and termite mushrooms abound - Soup Pot Secret: Simmered in mountain spring water with only ginger and garlic, no salt, the umami flavor is intense! Bonus Dish: Mushroom rice, where the rice absorbs the flavorful broth. Enjoy a filling meal for around 10 yuan. 9. Tongjiang Shortbread (The King of Souvenirs) - Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft: Layers of lard pastry filled with sweet osmanthus-flavored lotus root paste or spiced walnuts. - Where to Buy: "Bashan Gifts" specialty store offers individually wrapped shortbread with a 30-day shelf life, safe for air travel. 10. Tongjiang Night Market Barbecue (Late-Night Culinary Philosophy) - Must-Try: Small beef skewers, grilled tofu skin, grilled brain flower, and grilled potatoes - Signature Dipping Sauces: Dry dip (chili powder + crushed peanuts) + oil dip (cilantro + minced garlic) combo unlocks a world of spicy and savory flavors! 📸 Food Photography Guide: How to Capture Instagram-Worthy Shots 1. White Fungus Soup: Capture the steaming soup ladle and wooden bowls and chopsticks in the morning mist at a traditional restaurant, using warm light filters. 2. Ran Mian Stall: Use backlighting to highlight the glistening chili oil and the noodles being lifted with chopsticks. 3. Tofu Feast: Take an overhead shot of the Eight Treasure Tofu in a blue and white porcelain dish, garnished with red pepper shreds and cilantro. 4. Night Market Barbecue: Capture the charcoal grill under neon lights, sizzling skewers, and people raising their glasses with bright smiles. 🚗 Travel Tips: How to Enjoy Tongjiang Cuisine to the Fullest - Transportation: Approx. 4 hours by car from Chengdu, or take the high-speed train to Bazhong Station and then a 1.5-hour bus ride. - Best Time to Visit: Summer (average 22°C) for mushroom soup pot, or winter for nourishing white fungus soup (humid and cold weather). - Hidden Gem: "Wang You Tea House" in Zouma Town. Order jasmine tea with freshly fried shortbread and listen to the owner's stories about the "back-basket banks" of the 1970s. Tongjiang cuisine is a perfect blend of the city's rich history and vibrant culinary scene. It may not be love at first bite, but it will quietly captivate your taste buds, whether in a morning bowl of white fungus soup or amidst the smoky aroma of a late-night barbecue. "A foodie's journey begins with the stomach and ends with the heart." This is where you'll find your warmest encounter with the Basha Mountains.