Xingtai boasts a rich culinary culture. The following recommendations combine traditional specialties with modern innovations, perfect for visitors:
Traditional Dishes
Braised Pancakes: Braised in an old-fashioned iron pot, served with bean sprouts, bok choy, and pork belly. Aged vinegar is drizzled along the edge of the pot for a fresh flavor, and served with sesame salt and fresh garlic. This is a local favorite.
Weizhuang Smoked Chicken: A provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item, smoked using traditional wood-fired stove techniques, resulting in a translucent beeswax-coated skin and a savory, salty texture. It is often served with steamed buns.
Pingxiang Crispy Fish: Slow-cooked for seven hours, the fish is infused with the essence of spices, leaving the bones tender and the meat tender. It is vacuum-packed and ready for you to take home.
Renxian Stir-fried Pork: Sliced pork in a rich, rich sauce is paired with mung bean sprouts, stir-fried in a traditional iron pot for a rich, fragrant sauce.
Specialty and Innovation
Neiqiu Sauce Pork: Using Xing jujube kernels, the dish is sour and fresh with a hint of medicinal flavor. Over 30 medicinal dishes have been developed incorporating traditional Chinese medicine.
Merchant Banquet: The "Boyan Three-Course Meal" at the Wu'an Merchant Banquet is the pinnacle of banquet dining, featuring traditional dishes like braised pork elbow and pearl meatballs.
Recommended Restaurants:
Julu Braised Pancake Shop: Customizable flavors will be available through a smart pancake machine, launching in 2025. Order via QR code.
Neiqiu Yongshengkui Restaurant: Specializes in braised meat and medicinal dishes.
Weixian Lizhu Crispy Fried Buns: Newly added donkey meat fried bun set menu with millet porridge.
Recommended Restaurants Nearby:
Xingtai Old Street Snack Street offers affordable fare like donkey meat fried buns and noodles with soybean paste. Enjoy local stewed chicken near Tianhe Mountain Scenic Area.