Detailed Introduction to Local Dishes of Yuxi City

 

Yuxi City, located in central Yunnan and famous for its mild climate, fertile plains, and rich tobacco and farming culture, is a place where fresh ingredients meet traditional ethnic flavors. Yuxi cuisine is known for being aromatic, mildly spicy, refreshing, and deeply connected to the Yi, Hui, and Han communities. From iconic rice noodles to lakeside fish delicacies, Yuxi offers an authentic and diverse taste of central Yunnan.

 

1. Jiangchuan Stewed Fish (江川三道菜 / 江川大头鱼)

 

One of Yuxi’s most iconic dishes, originating from Jiangchuan County near Fuxian Lake.

 

Features:

 

Uses bighead carp or grass carp from Fuxian Lake

 

Typically served in three steps (三道菜):

 

Boiled Fish Slices — tender, clean-tasting

 

Fish Broth Pot — rich and milky

 

Fish Bone Noodles — slow-simmered for deep umami

 

This dish is prized for its freshness and lake-origin purity, symbolizing Yuxi’s natural gifts.

 

2. Tonghai “Pea Flour Cold Noodles” (通海豌豆凉粉)

 

A famous local snack using high-quality Tonghai peas.

 

Characteristics:

 

Silky smooth, translucent texture

 

Served cold with chili oil, vinegar, ginger, and garlic

 

Refreshing and slightly spicy

 

Tonghai County is considered one of Yunnan’s best places for cold pea jelly dishes.

 

3. Yuxi Rice Noodles (玉溪米线)

 

Rice noodles are a staple across Yuxi.

Compared to Kunming’s version, Yuxi rice noodles emphasize clear soup, pure aroma, and stronger toppings.

 

Popular styles:

 

Small Pot Rice Noodles (小锅米线)

 

Braised Beef Rice Noodles (红烧牛肉米线)

 

Chicken Soup Rice Noodles (鸡汤米线)

 

Each district has its own touch, making it a culinary symbol of daily life.

 

4. Hongta Roasted Meat (红塔烧烤 / 烤乳扇 / 烤乳猪)

 

Yuxi’s barbecue culture is influenced by its tobacco-curing traditions, producing dishes with deep smoky aromas.

 

Highlights:

 

Roasted Suckling Pig (烤乳猪) — crispy, juicy

 

Roasted Dairy Fan (烤乳扇) — thin Yunnan milk sheets grilled with honey

 

Grilled tofu, mushrooms, and pork belly

 

The grilling techniques are precise, resulting in clean smoke, tender texture, and rich aroma.

 

5. Yimen Stone Pot Fish (易门石头鱼 / 石锅鱼)

 

A specialty from Yimen County, cooked using hot stone pots.

 

Features:

 

Fish slices cooked instantly by preheated stones

 

Aromatic soup base: ginger, wild herbs, pepper leaves

 

Light, refreshing, and slightly spicy

 

Known for its fresh fragrance and countryside-style cooking.

 

6. Huaning Spicy Pork Feet (华宁卤猪脚 / 华宁卤味)

 

A beloved Huaning County delicacy.

 

Traits:

 

Slow-braised pork feet with spices

 

Soft, gelatinous texture

 

Often served with chili paste and pickled vegetables

 

A popular festival and celebratory dish.

 

7. Xinping Dai-Style Cuisine (新平傣味)

 

Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County offers a strong Dai culinary tradition.

 

Famous dishes:

 

Dai-style Sour Soup Fish (傣味酸汤鱼)

 

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken (香茅烤鸡)

 

Pounded Papaya Salad (舂青木瓜)

 

Flavor profile:

 

Sour, spicy, bright, refreshing—full of tropical character.

 

8. Eshan Yi-Style Snacks (峨山彝味小吃)

 

Yi ethnic culture shapes the cuisine in Eshan County.

 

Popular specialties:

 

Yi Pounded Potatoes (彝族舂洋芋)

 

Yi-style cured pork (腊肉)

 

Yi Festival Rice Cakes (年节糍粑)

 

Warm, rustic, and hearty.

 

9. Yuxi “Claypot Braised Dishes” (玉溪砂锅菜)

 

Claypot dishes are common in Yuxi homes and restaurants.

 

Variations include:

 

Claypot tofu

 

Claypot duck

 

Claypot mixed vegetables

 

These dishes emphasize slow stewing, resulting in thick, aromatic broths.

 

10. Yuxi Fresh Flowers Cuisine (玉溪花卉美食)

 

Thanks to its mild climate, Yuxi is a major flower-producing city, incorporating edible flowers into daily dishes.

 

Common edible flowers:

 

Jasmine fried eggs (茉莉花炒蛋)

 

Rose pastries (玫瑰鲜花饼)

 

Osmanthus sweet soup (桂花甜汤)

 

These dishes highlight the city’s elegant and refreshing culinary style.

 

11. Yuxi Fermented Black Soybean Sauce (玉溪豆豉)

 

A traditional condiment used across the region.

 

Key qualities:

 

Intense aroma

 

Balanced saltiness

 

Often stir-fried with meats or vegetables