Dining
2011 Dec-29
Changsha food belongs to Hunan Cuisine, also known as Xiang Cuisine,which is renowned as one
of the Eight Cuisines of China. It is features a fine and delicate appearance together with a hot and
spicy flavor. The chefs cut the vegetables into fascinating shapes and patterns and use them to create
a handsome assortment of cold dishes. Each dish tells its own story.
Featured dishes & snacks
Three-Boxed Birds (San Ceng Tao Ji)
This name may seem a little strange and doesn't tell the story clearly. It was said that in 1920s, an
official's wife had a stubborn headache and a doctor suggested that she buy a sparrow, a pigeon
and a black-bone hen as ingredients for a Chinese herbal medicine soup. The doctor first put the
small sparrow into the pigeon and then put the pigeon into the black-bone hen, hence the name
three-boxed birds. Then the boxed birds were steamed with herbs for a long time and the finished
dish comprised both the soup and meat for eating. The story doesn't say whether the lady's
headache was cured or not. However, the dish became popular in the country.
Crisp Sesame Duck (Maren Xiangsu Ji)
A duck is fried in peanut oil until its skin turns golden. Spicy seasonings and sesame oil are
then added to the fried duck. The finished duck is cut into pieces and made into assorted cold
dishes. It is crisp, tender and has a savory taste.
Sisters' Rice Balls
These are a kind of rice balls with fillings of meat or sugar. The meatballs have mushroom
pieces, meat, and spring onions inside and are made into the shape of pomegranate while
the sweet balls have the fillings of sugar, dates, meat and sweet-scented osmanthus and
often resemble a peach. On the day of happy events, the two are presented in contrasting colors
to create a happy atmosphere.
Famous Restaurants
Fruit Theme Restaurant 水果捞主题餐厅
Address:2F, Wangfujing Department Store, Huangxing Zhonglu, Tianxin District, Changsha
长沙市芙蓉区黄兴中路35号王府井百货2楼
Contact:0731 4425 477 (Tel)
Hours: 9:00 - 24:00
Price: RMB 30-50
Getting there: No.401 Bus
Description:
As this restaurant's name indicates, most things on the menu are indeed "fruit themed", with
chefs adding fruit (sometimes in strange combinations) to traditionally fruitless dishes. The
kiwi pizza, for instance, is not very good, but points are awarded for novelty. The atmosphere
is welcoming and warm. Comfortable chairs, walls painted in soft colors, and art displays
make diners feel like they're eating in their own living rooms.
Yuloudong Restaurant 玉楼东酒家
Address:125 Wuyi Dadao, Furong District, Changsha 长沙市芙蓉区五一大道125号
Contact:0731 229 7008 (Tel)
Hours: 11:00 - 2:00
Price: RMB 50-80
Description:
Two story, brightly lit restaurant serving Changsha favorites such as deep-fried eel strips, spicy
freshwater fish head and thrice-wrapped chicken.
Lihesheng Muslim Restaurant 李合盛
Address:292 Huangxing Nanlu, Tianxing District, Changsha 长沙市天心区黄兴南路292号
Contact:0731 5818 076 (Tel)
Getting there: No.1 Bus