Sanming Specialty Food Guide

I. Food Recommendations (1) Shaxian Snacks 1. Shaxian Steamed Dumplings: Petite and delicate with thin wrappers and generous fillings, typically made with pork, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, etc., offering a delicious taste. A basket usually costs around ¥10 - ¥20. 2. Mixed Noodles: Simple noodles paired with Shaxian’s signature peanut sauce, soy sauce, and other seasonings. Once mixed, the aroma is irresistible, and the texture is smooth. A bowl costs about ¥5 - ¥10. 3. Tofu Balls: Crispy outside and tender inside. Legend has it that this dish was created by ancient chefs who ingeniously used tofu as a substitute for fish. Now, it’s a classic Shaxian snack. A serving costs around ¥10 - ¥15. (2) Ninghua Specialties 1. Ninghua Sashimi: Made with fresh grass carp, sliced into translucent pieces, and served with sesame oil, soy sauce, wasabi, and other seasonings. The fish is tender and smooth, offering an excellent taste. A serving typically costs ¥30 - ¥50. 2. Ninghua Dried Mouse: Despite its unusual name, this is a Ninghua delicacy. Rich in protein and nutrients, it can be stewed or braised. The price is around ¥50 - ¥80 per jin (500g). 3. Hakka Pounded Tea: Ground from tea leaves, sesame, peanuts, herbs, and other ingredients, then brewed with boiling water. It has a rich flavor and is known for cooling the body, relieving heat, and aiding digestion. A set of ingredients costs about ¥20 - ¥30. (3) Taining Flavors 1. Taining Nuangu Buns: Made with Nuangu grass and rice batter, filled with mushrooms, black fungus, smoked meat, shredded bamboo shoots, etc. They are fragrant and soft. Each bun costs around ¥3 - ¥5. 2. Grass Jelly Cake: Made with locally sourced grass jelly, it has a refreshing taste and is a perfect summer treat. A serving costs about ¥5 - ¥10. (4) Qingliu Specialties 1. Qingliu Tofu Skin: Thin as cicada wings with a delicate texture, it can be used in soups, stir-fries, or cold dishes. A jin (500g) costs around ¥20 - ¥30. 2. Red Yeast Roasted Rabbit: Made with locally bred black rabbits, the tender meat is marinated with red yeast and roasted to a glossy red finish with an enticing aroma. A whole rabbit costs about ¥80 - ¥120. II. Specialty Recommendations (1) Mingxi Dried Pork Slices As the top of the "Eight Dried Delicacies" of western Fujian, Mingxi dried pork slices have a long history. Made from high-quality pork through marinating and baking, they are savory, slightly sweet, and easy to carry and store—perfect as gifts or for personal enjoyment. Prices vary by brand and packaging, generally ¥30 - ¥60 per jin (500g). (2) Jianlian (Jian Lotus Seeds) Jianlian seeds are large, round, fragrant, and nutritious, ideal for soups, porridge, or desserts. Market prices vary by quality, usually ¥20 - ¥40 per jin (500g). (3) Youxi Kumquats Youxi kumquats are juicy, tender, and sweet-tart, suitable for fresh eating or processing into juice, jam, or canned products. Priced affordably at around ¥5 - ¥10 per jin (500g), they make a great snack. (4) Jiangle Bamboo Fungus Jiangle bamboo fungus is large, crisp, and aromatic—a prized edible mushroom that enhances soups, stir-fries, or hot pots with its unique flavor. Due to its special growing conditions, it’s relatively expensive, costing ¥50 - ¥100 per jin (500g). Sanming’s food and specialties are diverse, each embodying local culture and traditions. Whether savoring the cuisine or shopping for specialties, you’ll experience the unique charm of Sanming.