How to eat like a local in Guiyang – Discover one of the least discovered cuisines in China

Considered poor and rather remote, the Guiyang Province in China is one of the least savoured in terms of cuisines in China. Packed with fresh chillies of varying heat, the food here is something not to be missed!

Popolon, Guiyang.choudoufu, CC BY-SA 4.0

What to expect

Chillies are a huge component of Guiyang cuisine in many forms, dehydrated, fermented, pickled or stir-fried. So if you love spicy food, you won't be disappointed! Chillies are a staple in most meals in Guizhou, including breakfast.

Stir-fries, soups, serving sauces, and noodles are generously flavoured with chilli peppers. All kinds of chilli peppers are cultivated in the province. You may encounter many acres of terraced land growing all types of chillies, from the mild green bell peppers to the little red-hot chillies. So if you want to go local, you will have to brave the spice kick that is prevalent in many of their dishes, but delicious nonetheless.

The predominant flavour is "suan la" which means, sour spicy. This is different from the "ma la", which is the numbing spicy. This is common in the nearby Sichuan province, also a region popular for its spicy food. Rustic and far- removed, the food in Guizhou's is recognised as qian cai, remains comparatively unfamiliar even in China.

The province is home to many ethnic minorities, and many of their dishes are inspired by folk cooking. Many of their meals are hearty and rustic and has little to do with banquet-style refinement. The meals are prepared using fresh produce that is regionally cultivated. Many foraged mushrooms, atypical root vegetables, an abundance of fruit and fresh fish are the main ingredients you will find in Guiyang apart from the spice! Below are must try dishes.

Sour fish soup

This spicy fish soup is made from tomatoes, pickled chilli and cabbage. It is the most popular dish in the region and a staple for many ethnic communities.

It is commonly found among the Miao ethnic group. They make up a tenth of the regions 35 million residents.

The stew is prepared with river fish, also known as"field fish". The water currents that collect among the rice paddy terraces flow down the mountainsides of the province and into the rivers.

The soup gets served on a stove. It has a tangy and spicy kick from the chillies. Its delicious flavour develops while it cooks as it is served.

Silk babies

Also known as "siwawa," this vegetarian appetizer is comparable in appearance to Vietnamese spring rolls.

The "silk blanket" is a rice wrap made from pounded rice flour. The baby is the filling, which is a mix of fresh and fermented vegetables and dehydrated soybeans added for a crunchy texture. It is eaten dipped in a sauce made from stock, dehydrated chilli flakes and sesame oil.

You can find them at many a popular restaurant in Guiyang such as Aunty Yang, which has seven branches across Guizhou. There you have a choice of fillings to build your rolls.

Houttuniya

This particular root vegetable is recognised in Chinese as zhu'ergen. It is usually consumed individually and provides for a hearty side for many dishes and dipping sauces.

Planted along the corners of the rice paddies it has a unique taste comparable to a lemony aftertaste and earthy tang. The locals believe it has many medicinal properties and beneficial for the lungs. Many think it was because of this that the people of the region were not severely affected by the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Lovers’ tofu

This is like a sandwich with a fiery kick! Crispy rectangles of griddled soft tofu that yield a soft custardy centre are placed in a wrap, with a combination of chilli, green onions, garlic and Houttuniya. Be warned it's very hot!

Rice tofu

A speciality of the region, it resembles and feels like tofu but is prepared with ground rice flour paste. The taste is somewhat bland compared to the other fare but can be a welcome change from the chillies. 

It is eaten diced into cubes and mixed with coriander leaves, and fresh or dried chilli powder. If you are looking for accommodation there are many options to explore in the area, try places like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.