Zhongyuan Cuisine
Zhongyuan(中原) cuisine, or Yu(豫) cuisine, is the cuisine of the central plains region of central China, mainly focused on Henan(河南) Province and including parts of surrounding provinces.
Zhengzhou(鄭州) and its surrounding area including Kaifeng(開封) is a cultural center of the region.
The Yellow River(黃河) is a major geographic feature.
Ingredients
Wheat is a major ingredient, often used for noodles as well as dumplings and buns.
Soybeans are used to make soy milk and tofu as well as tofu pudding(豆腐腦).
Chrysanthemum has an ancient history in the region.
Carp(鯉魚) is a popular fish. Yellow River giant carp(黃河大鯉魚) is a specialty variety in the region.
Dishes
- shao bing(燒餅): crispy bread, sometimes with sesame seed or spices
- potsticker(鍋貼): pan-fried dumpling with meat, cabbage, scallion, or other filling
- shui jian bao(水煎包): wheat flour bun with meat, chives, or other filling; the Zhongyuan variety is long instead of round
- guan tang bao(灌湯包): steamed dumpling with juicy soup filling
- cai mang(菜蟒): long wheat flour dumpling with filling
- blood cake(血糕): buckwheat and pork blood cake
- hui mian(燴麵): noodles in lamb or mixed meat broth with toppings such as tofu and vegetables
- hu la tang(胡辣湯): thick soup seasoned with pepper, sometimes with noodles
- red-braised Yellow River giant carp(紅燒黃河大鯉魚)
- carp baked with noodles(鯉魚焙麵)
- hu zhui(槲墜): a type of zong
Recipes
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Guotie
Guotie(鍋貼), literally translated as potsticker, is a type of dumpling from northern China. Considered a type of jiaozi(餃子), guotie are distinct because of their shape and cooking method. Unlike the more common crescent shaped jiaozi, guotie have a long, almost tubular shape with open or flat ends. While guotie are cooking, they are first cooked…
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Jujube Zong
Jujube zong or zongzi(棗粽子) is a traditional food of China, especially northern areas such as Beijing. It is made from sticky rice and jujube wrapped in bamboo leaves and boiled. Jujube zong is commonly served with sugar. It is also traditional to use proso millet(黍) instead of sticky rice. The origin of zong dates back…
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Shao Bing
Shao bing(燒餅) is a layered small flatbread or cracker popular throughout China. It is a traditional food of Lu and Zhongyuan cuisines. Shao bing is often garnished with sesame seeds. Sometimes scallions or other ingredients are added. It is a common breakfast, often paired with egg or soy milk. It may be served plain or…
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Shui Jian Bao
Shui jian bao(水煎包) is a type of pan-cooked bun from China. This old-fashioned variation is from the central plains or Zhongyuan(中原) region of China, where it is a popular breakfast. It may also be called Henan shui jian bao(河南水煎包) or old-fashioned shui jian bao(老式水煎包). Shui jian bao is made of leavened dough with filling. Usually…