One Place, One Scenery, One Flavor: Delicacies of Northeasterners
How many people are like me? The original intention of traveling is because after a busy year, we need to give our body and mind a big vacation and enjoy the fruits of our labor. If the money we earn isn't spent, it doesn't feel real! We must have a well-planned trip at the right time, in the right season, with the right weather! O(∩_∩)O haha~
As an ordinary mortal who consumes the world's pleasures, today let's take stock of Northeastern flavors!
Those who follow me know that in the previous three issues, I listed must-visit spots in Harbin city. But how can eating and playing be separated? First, let me name the dishes: shāzhūcài (pork and sauerkraut stew), tiěguōdùn (iron pot stew), guōbāoròu (sweet and sour pork), lǎodòufu (old tofu), Russian-style sausage, whole wheat dàliěba bread, and kvass. Okay, today we'll talk about these true Northeastern flavors. Heilongjiang is very close to Inner Mongolia; in fact, our barbecue, hot pot, and roast lamb chops are also excellent. We'll cover these surrounding delicacies later.
Shāzhūcài originally was a stew eaten in rural Northeast China when slaughtering a pig near the end of the year. The freshly butchered pig is divided into parts: head, ribs, elbows, trotters, pork belly, tenderloin. These cuts can be frozen and eaten throughout the winter! The remaining meat and bones are chopped into large pieces, boiled in a pot. Pig blood is poured into cleaned small pig intestines to make blood sausages. Then some pork belly, pig intestines and stomach are boiled, and shredded sauerkraut is added while cooking. When served, the pork belly is sliced, intestines and blood sausages are cut into sections, combined with the rich bone broth and sauerkraut. The flavors of various ingredients blend together, releasing a full aroma. This fragrance comes not only from the combination of flavors but also from the absolute freshness of the ingredients! When tasting shāzhūcài, you'll find the ingredients are fatty but not greasy. After hours of cooking, all ingredients become tender and delicious, paired with the sour taste of Northeastern sauerkraut, which greatly stimulates the appetite. The dish is usually served with garlic paste, soy sauce, dried chili, pepper powder, chopped green onions, cilantro, and other condiments to accompany the blood sausage, intestines, and pork belly. Many restaurants make this dish deliciously. It is recommended to choose a place based on your hotel location and food platform recommendations. The price is not high; a large portion is usually 60–100 RMB. When ordering shāzhūcài, it is advisable to also order guōbāoròu and májiàng liángpí (sesame sauce cold noodles), which are excellent local dishes. Most restaurants offer all three. Guōbāoròu costs about 50 RMB, and májiàng lá pí costs 20–30 RMB.
The second must-eat item is tiěguōdùn (iron pot stew). The restaurants serving this are usually very distinctive because they recreate the experience of stewing in an iron pot. The table you sit at might be a traditional Northeastern heated brick bed (kang), with a half-meter diameter iron pot right in front of you, sitting around the pot. In winter, there are many outdoor activities in Harbin, and a delicious iron pot stew can dispel the cold. There are many choices for the stew: fish, chicken, goose, ribs, beef, and more! You can choose according to your preference. I personally like ribs and beef, and fish is also good! Once you've chosen the main ingredient, be sure to add side dishes. For a fish pot, definitely add cabbage and old tofu; for a rib pot, add potatoes and vermicelli noodles. Because after cooking, you'll find the side dishes are very tasty! With the iron pot stew, they often steam flower rolls (huājuǎn) on top, so the meal includes a staple food!
The tiěguōdùn gives the feeling of a complete dish with attractive colors and enticing aromas. The flavors are rich. Northeastern cuisine is truly satisfying to the cravings, so delicious it pulls you in! O(∩_∩)O haha~ When having tiěguōdùn, you can also order kvass as a drink. Kvass is a beverage fermented from bread, refreshing and very helpful for digesting meat!
Don't you feel a strong urge to come to Harbin? Now when visiting Harbin, to avoid crowds, you can consider taking a helicopter to overlook the city and enjoy the delicious food!
That's all for today. Tomorrow we'll talk about how to enjoy Russian-style Western cuisine in Harbin! If you like it, follow me! If you have any questions, leave me a message! Bye bye!
