Leshan, a food paradise! From spicy and fragrant Bobo Chicken and crispy, sweet-skinned duck to tender and nourishing Qiaojiao Beef and rich tofu pudding, these must-try delicacies will delight you with the charm of Leshan.
Leshan Bobo Chicken
Leshan Bobo Chicken is a hallmark of Leshan cuisine. Originating in the late Qing Dynasty, it evolved from the way local dock workers and porters cut chicken into small pieces, skewered it, and placed it in a bowl filled with spicy seasoning. Today, Bobo Chicken boasts a richer and more diverse menu, featuring not only chicken but also a variety of meat and vegetable ingredients, such as beef, liver, tripe, potatoes, lotus root slices, and wood ear mushrooms. These ingredients are meticulously skewered and neatly arranged in a large bowl filled with either red or Sichuan peppercorn oil. Red oil Bobo Chicken boasts a vibrant red color, rich aroma, and a mellow spiciness, each bite revealing the perfect blend of chili and spices. Sichuan peppercorn Bobo Chicken captivates diners with its unique numbing flavor, a refreshing numbness and a pervasive aroma of Sichuan peppercorns, making it irresistible. To enjoy, select your favorite skewers from the bowl and place them in a special seasoning bowl, typically containing sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, chopped green onions, and other ingredients, further enhancing the richness of the flavor.
2. Leshan Sweet-Skin Duck
Leshan sweet-skin duck, also known as braised duck, is a traditional delicacy of Leshan. Its unique preparation begins with a braised duck, infused with a variety of spices such as star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and Sichuan peppercorns. This allows the duck to fully absorb the flavors, resulting in tender, fragrant meat. The braised duck is then deep-fried until the skin is crispy and then brushed with a special syrup that imparts the sweet-skin duck's unique sweetness. The finished sweet-skin duck is an alluring, shiny brown, with a crispy, sweet exterior and tender, juicy meat within. The perfect blend of sweet and salty creates a rich, complex flavor. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or simply as a snack, it's incredibly delicious. Sweet-skin duck shops can be found throughout the streets and alleys of Leshan, each with its own unique flavor.
3.Cross-legged beef
Cross-legged beef originated in Suji Town, Leshan City. Legend has it that during the late Qing Dynasty, a local herbalist set up a medicinal soup pot on the street, filled with beef offal and herbs, offering it free of charge to the public to dispel colds and cure illnesses. Later, people discovered the delicious taste of this dish, and it gradually evolved into a delicacy. The soup base for Cross-legged Beef is made from beef bones, beef, and various Chinese medicinal herbs, creating a milky white and delicious broth. Diners gather around the table, cooking the offal and beef, then dipping them in a sauce made from chili powder, Sichuan peppercorns, and cilantro. The beef is tender, and the offal is rich in flavor, with chewy tendons, soft tripe, and tender liver. The dish is complemented by refreshing seasonal vegetables like bok choy, bean sprouts, and tofu skin, creating a nutritious feast. The rich broth is delicious and can be enjoyed plain or with rice, creating a unique and flavorful experience.
4. Leshan tofu pudding is a beloved specialty snack among the people of Leshan. It features tender tofu pudding as its main ingredient, complemented by a variety of toppings. The tofu pudding's marinade is crucial, typically made from chicken or bone broth. Steamed beef or pig intestines are added, specially marinated for a rich flavor. It's topped with golden, crispy fried sanzi (fried dough sticks), chopped peanuts, diced kohlrabi, chopped green onions, and cilantro. To eat, the sanzi and other ingredients are first mixed with the tofu pudding to fully appreciate the diverse ingredients in every bite. The smoothness of the tender tofu pudding, the tenderness of the steamed pork, the crispness of the sanzi, the crunchy peanuts, and the salty, fragrant kohlrabi combine to create a rich, delicious flavor. Leshan tofu pudding is available in a variety of flavors, including spicy and numbing, to satisfy diverse tastes.
5. Leshan Fried Skewers
Leshan fried skewers are a specialty of Leshan cuisine. Various ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, and soy products, are cut into small pieces, threaded onto bamboo skewers, and then deep-fried in hot oil. The oil temperature and frying time are carefully controlled to ensure the ingredients are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The fried skewers are golden brown and fragrant. They can be dipped in either a dry or oily sauce. The dry sauce is typically a mixture of chili powder, Sichuan peppercorns, cumin powder, salt, and MSG, creating a spicy and fragrant flavor. The oily sauce, primarily sesame oil, with added ingredients like minced garlic, cilantro, and chopped green onions, offers a refreshing flavor that counteracts the greasiness of the fried skewers. Leshan fried skewers come in a wide variety, including beef, liver, pork belly, potato slices, and lotus root slices, each with its own unique flavor.