Don't miss this Xiangyang food guide!

Xiangyang, a city steeped in history and culture, is renowned not only for its rich cultural heritage but also for its unique cuisine, which attracts visitors from all over. ### 1. Breakfast 1. **Xiangyang Beef Noodles**: These chewy and smooth noodles are served in a bright red, spicy, and savory broth. Served with bean sprouts and fried tofu, they offer a rich and complex flavor. 2. **Xiangyang Tofu Noodles**: Featuring a flavorful sauce and two types of tofu—fried white tofu puffs and diced white tofu—these alkaline noodles offer a unique taste. 3. **Steamed Pork with Red Bean Paste (Jia Sha Rou)**: Made with pork belly and red bean paste, this dish is steamed until tender. The resulting dish is a visually appealing blend of white and red, offering a sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth experience without being overly greasy. ### 2. Lunch 1. **Yicheng Pan-Fried Eel**: Carefully cooked until golden brown, this crispy and flavorful eel dish is a must-try. Gently tear the eel at the head and backbone to easily separate the flesh from the bone. 2. **Xiangyang Braised Pig's Trotter (Chanti)**: Fresh pig's trotters are marinated with various spices, then bound with thin twine and air-dried. The resulting dish is fragrant, with a lustrous, agate-like red color and a chewy, springy texture. 3. **Yicheng Prawns**: These large, meaty prawns are known for their "one numb, two spicy, three fragrant" flavor profile. They can be enjoyed braised, stir-fried, or boiled. ### 3. Dinner 1. **Xiangyang Night Market Barbecue**: This barbecue offers a wide variety of delicious options, including grilled potato slices and mushrooms. 2. **Dingzhong Street Beef Offal Hot Pot**: Located on Dingzhong Street, this hot pot restaurant is popular for its delicious beef offal hot pot. 3. **Pickled Cabbage Fish near Ziwei Hotel**: This dish features tender fish, flavorful pickled cabbage, and a delicious broth. ### 4. Snacks and Desserts 1. **King Kong Pastry (Jingang Su)**: Made with flour, sugar, sesame oil, and a small amount of alkali, this pastry is baked through multiple steps to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture. 2. **Sweet and Sour Cabbage**: Xiangyang cabbage is cut into strips, stir-fried, and seasoned with a sweet and sour sauce. 3. **Jade Belt Cake (Yudai Gao)**: This traditional pastry from Gucheng County has a history of over 300 years and was even praised by the Qianlong Emperor. Xiangyang offers a wide variety of culinary delights, from specialty noodles and meat dishes to snacks and desserts, all guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. When traveling in Xiangyang, be sure to use this guide to sample the local cuisine and experience the city's unique flavors.