Huangshan Food Guide: Top 5 Must-Try Dishes & Snacks

Huangshan is not only famous for its striking peaks and breathtaking seas of clouds but is also the home of tasty Anhui cuisine, one of China's eight major cuisines. With over 1000 years of history, Anhui cuisine features bold and savory flavors, like the iconic stinky mandarin fish. Besides the fish, you can try many other local delicacies, making your Huangshan trip more enjoyable and flavorful. In this article, we'll take you through the top 5 Huangshan foods.

5 Huangshan foods you don't want to miss

Stinky Mandarin Fish (Chouguiyu 臭鳜鱼)

Stinky Mandarin Fish in a Huangshan restuarant

• Key Ingredients: Mandarin fish, bamboo shoot slices, chili peppers, garlic, soy sauce

As one of the most iconic Anhui dishes, stinky mandarin fish stands out for its surprising contrast that smells strong but tastes very delicious. Fresh mandarin fish is salted and cured for about a week, developing a distinct aroma. Then braised with sliced bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and soy sauce, the fish becomes tender and firm, with a rich, savory flavor.

You can easily try stinky mandarin fish in Tangkou Town, at the foot of Huangshan, and also find the dish at many local restaurants in Tunxi Ancient Street or Hongcun Village. If you prefer a lighter taste, just ask the waiter to make it less salty when ordering. And you can share it with friends or family for about 100 RMB (14 USD) per fish.

Fried Hairy Tofu (毛豆腐)

A fresh-made serving of Fried Hairy Tofu

• Key Ingredients: Fermented tofu, chili sauce

Hairy tofu is made from fermented tofu, named for the fine white mold that covers its surface. The white fuzz is actually edible mycelium that is safe to consume. After pan-frying and topping with a special sauce and seasonings, the tofu turns golden and crispy on the outside, with a rich, creamy interior tasting more like cheese.

You can watch vendors cook hairy tofu at many street stalls around Huangshan, seeing it go from moldy tofu to golden, pan-fried perfection. It tastes best when eaten fresh off the pan, and a serving costs around 15 RMB (2 USD).

Huangshan Shaobing (黄山烧饼)

Huangshan Shaobing (Huangshan Pancake)

• Key Ingredients: Wheat flour, preserved vegetables, minced pork, sesame seeds

With a history of over 600 years, Huangshan Shaobing is one of the most iconic traditional snacks here. Huangshan Shaobing is a round pancake with a crispy, sesame-coated crust, usually filled with preserved vegetables and pork. It tastes savory with a touch of sweetness and is never greasy.

You can try Jiali or Haozailai Shaobing in Tunxi Ancient Street for an authentic taste. A small pack of twelve usually costs 6-13 RMB (under 1.8 USD), and it's best to finish the freshly baked ones the same day. You can also find packaged Shaobing at local stalls or shops in Huangshan, which can be stored for about two months, making it convenient as a snack or a gift for friends and family.

Wenzheng Mountain Bamboo Shoots (问政山笋)

• Key Ingredients: Bamboo shoots, ham

The bamboo shoots from Wenzheng Mountain are fresh, tender, and naturally sweet. They are often stewed with ham, making a perfect balance between salty ham and sweet, crisp shoots. If you're not used to strong flavors like stinky mandarin fish or hairy tofu, this dish is an easy and tasty choice. Spring is the best time to try them, when the new shoots are at their freshest.

You can enjoy Wenzheng bamboo shoots with ham in Tangkou Town for convenience. And there are many local restaurants serving the dish in other places of Huangshan, such as Laoma local restaurant in Tunxi Ancient Street. The price of this dish may vary between restaurants, but it usually costs about 50 RMB (7 USD) per serving.

Huangshan Cured Pork (Daobanxiang 刀板香)

Sliced Huangshan Cured Pork

• Key Ingredients: Anhui-style salted pork, bamboo shoots

Daobanxiang, literally meaning "pork steamed on a fragrant wood board" in Chinese, is a traditional Anhui-style salted pork. Cured pork belly is sliced and paired with fresh bamboo shoots, then steamed on camphor wood until fragrant. The cured pork turns firm and chewy but not greasy, with a salty flavor complemented by the fresh aroma of the bamboo shoots.

This dish is available at many chain restaurants in Huangshan, like Huisanshuo restaurant, with each serving usually costing 70-90 RMB (under 13 USD).

Savor the Best Huangshan Food with Us

Trying authentic Anhui cuisine makes your visit to Huangshan's stunning peaks and ancient villages even more memorable. If you join us on your Huangshan tour, we can arrange a tailored itinerary based on your interests, from culinary experiences to natural wonders. Simply click here to contact us or email trip@odynovotours.com for more insider information and hidden gems.