Anhui Cuisine

Introduction

The regional cooking of Anhui, best known through the Huizhou food of the south, with a name for fire control and rich colour.

Anhui cuisine is the regional cooking of Anhui, best known through the Huizhou food of the south, with different flavours in different parts of the province. Huizhou cooks are skilled at braising, stewing and steaming, often use ham to add a savoury taste, and traditionally stress rich oil, rich colour and strong fire. According to its entry on the national intangible cultural heritage list, Anhui cuisine took shape in the Northern Song, spread in the Southern Song and became famous in the Qing; in the Ming and Qing the Hui merchants were active, and Huizhou cooking travelled with them along their trade routes. Stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu and steamed stone frog are among its typical dishes.