Top 9 Xiamen Cuisine

Xiamen cuisine is the main representative of Fujian cuisine which is famous throughout China. The most employed flavors are fresh and sweet. Sea food is the most common ingredient. To bring out the taste of the dish, shrimp oil and shrimp sauce are frequently added. The general cooking methods include, quick-frying, steaming, frying, simmering and stewing. Hakka cuisine has a great influence in Xiamen, for which the authentic Hakka cuisines can be tasted in many restaurants.

1. Tong'an Covered Pork

The origin of this dish was Tong'an District, Xiamen, in Fujian Province. The lid of the container is only removed when the dish is served on the table. Tourists think of it as a must try and those overseas visitors think of it when they visit their hometowns.

Characteristics: The pork is tender and aromatic. Even the patty part is not greasy at all.
Recommendation: Conghui Tong'an Covered Pork (Dayuan Road Branch)
Address: No. 24, Dayuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China

2. Fried Crab

This is a local dish. The oily shell is shiny and the crab meat is alluring. Even the meat inside the whole crab claws is delicious. Some foodies come here for nothing but the crab claws.

Characteristics: the crab is flavorsome and there is large chunk of meat.
Recommendation: Jia Haixian (Seafood) Jiangyou Shui (Soysauce Water)
Address: No. 82-2, Jiayuan Road, Huli District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China

3. Jiangmu Duck

The Cairina moschata (or red faced Muscovy duck) is stir-fried in the pot for a while, then ginger root and rice wine are added and the ingredients are stewed. High heat and low heat are used to cook the pot and certain herbs that are good for health are added. Vegetables and noodles can be cooked in the pot too. Jiangmu Duck is considered a Chinese food therapy. In the cold days in fall and winter, Jiangmu Duck can help to keep people warm.

Characteristics: Aromatic and juicy. It is nutritious but not greasy. It helps fend off fevers in the transition of seasons.
Recommendation: Jiangmu Duck Qiang Fry Crab•Old Xiamen Specialties (Zhongshan Road Branch)
Address: 1B, No. 78, East Siming Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, China.

4. Fish in Jiangyou Shui

Fish in Jiangyou Shui uses a mixture of soy sauce and water. When the fish is fried with a little oil in the pan, the Jiangyou Shui is poured in, along with seasonings, such as ginger and dried turnip. The easily cooked Fish in Jiangyou Shui is a dish frequently offered in local food stalls.

Characteristics: the fish is fresh and it strikes a balance between sweetness and salt.
Recommendation: Qingcai House•Old Xiamen Restaurant
Address:No. 243-257, 2F Nanzhong Plaza, No. 51-53, West Siming Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China (close to Jukou Jie)

5. Scalded Octopus

Rinse the octopus with salt water. Cook the ingredients in boiling water for one minute and then fish them out. Submerge them into icy water for a while. The prepared octopus can be eaten with various seasonings .

Characteristics: It is crisp and fresh. The flavor of the octopus is well retained.
Recommendation: Old Ershikou Tusun Dong (Frozen Siphon Worm) (Hong Kong Plaza Branch)
Address: No. 155, Hong Kong plaza, No. 310, Xiahe Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.

6. Fo Tiao Qiang (literally: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall)

It takes numerous steps to make this dish. The ingredients include – but are not limited to – abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, yak beef skin gelatin, pleurotus eryngii (a type of mushroom), sinew of trotter, top shiitake mushroom, cuttlefish, dried scallop and quail eggs. When simmering Fo Tiao Qiang, the jar will be sealed with lotus leaves and the steam will condense and flow back into the jar. The nutritious soup is good for health and beauty. It is considered a diet medication.

Characteristics: The dish strikes a balance between the vegetables and the meat. It is not greasy.
Recommendation: Shao's Mansion Min Cuisine Expert (Jinshang Branch)
Address: Entrepreneurship 1789 Aveune, opposite to Jinshang Middle School, No. 77, Zhonglun Society, Jintai Road, Huli District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.

7. Hakka Stuffed Bean Curd (Yong tau foo)

Cut the bean curd into 3 cm thick triangular blocks. Fry them in the oil for a while and then slice each piece open. Stuff pork, glutinous rice, garlic, five-spice powder and chili powder into the tofu. The dish is enjoyed with powdered pepper and sliced shallots. It is very tasty. This dish is often the first course of banquets for guests and relatives who visit in the first lunar month after the Chinese New Year.

Characteristics: It is tasty and smooth and is rich in nutrients.
Recommendation: Xin Hakka (Huli Wanda Branch)
Address: No. 26, 3F, Wanda Plaza, No, 4666, Xianyue Road, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.

8. Amur Catfish Stewed with Tofu

The fresh Amur Catfish and manual tofu are immersed into the sauce juice and then stewed. The well-integrated ingredients offer a great aftertaste.

Characteristics: The meat is tender and tasty.
Recommendation: Xin Hakka (Huli Wanda Branch)
Address:No. 26, 3F, Wanda Plaza, No, 4666, Xianyue Road, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.

9. Pig Tripe and Stewed Egg in Oil Tea

Fresh pig tripe and stewed eggs are cooked with a bit of oil tea. The oil tea is well mixed in the soup. A scoop of such soup is really nice.

Characteristics: It is aromatic and refreshing.
Recommendation: Lin House South Fujian Cuisine (Huandao Road Branch)
Address:No. 308, Zengcuo An Village, South Huandao Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China (20 m behind Zengcuo An Bus Station) (50 m east of Yugu Bridge at the seaside)