Dining in Dali
Most of the best and charming restaurants in the Xiaguan/Dali area are in the ancient city (Dali Gucheng), where the town is mostly inhabited by ethnic Bai people. The local Bai people still boast some distinguishing characteristics, their Bai cuisine being an important aspect of the culture. Some famous Bai dishes are earthenware pot fish, the "three cups of tea" and milk fan, a kind of dairy product like cheese. These authentic Bai dishes can be found in Dali Gucheng at the Bailixiang and Jingjing Snack House. The Apricot Flower Restaurant also has Bai food and other Chinese regional food.
But what has really made Dali famous among foreign travelers is the small backpacker cafes, guesthouses and restaurants on Huguo Lu. Also known as "foreigner's street", this street boasts some great restaurants serving a full range of Western, Yunnan, Bai and Chinese dishes. Each of these restaurants has their own distinct features and menu. Some of the most frequented cafes are the Tibetan Cafe, Cafe De Jack, the Old Wooden House and the Sunshine Cafe. Yunnan Cafe, Dali Window and Claire's Cafe are also very popular. Food is not the only reason people come to the cafes in Dali, the cafes also offer a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, cool music and cold beer. Many places also have comprehensive travel information, ticket booking service and bicycle rental. The followings are the specialties and dishes.
Dali Earthenware Pot Fish
Fish cooked in an earthenware pot (Dali shaguoyu) is one of the famous dishes in Dali. It is made with magnolia petals, mushrooms, and slices of ham, pork, and chicken. However, what makes this dish special to Dali is the Erhai Lake carp or "bowfish" (Gongyu). After being salted, the fish is cooked in a crock-pot of sorts along with bean curd, carrot slices and cabbage.
Dengchuan Milk Fan
Owning to the fact that there is vast pasture around Dali, which is safe from pollution, milk produced here is second to none. And among the numerous dairy products, Dengchuan Milk Fan (dengchuan rushan) is the most popular because of its richness in nutrition and special appearance.
It is made by mixing yogurt with fresh milk. They are cooked similarly to pancakes, although can also be steamed or boiled. Dairy Fans are a common local food and can be found served on many of the city's roadsides and lanes.
Stewed Carp Casserole
This dish is commonly served as a main course in Dali. It combines 28 different ingredients and numerous seasonings to create a dish that is both a treat for the taste-buds and nutritious.
Steamed Chicken
This typical Yunnan food is steamed in a pot using tender chicken and a variety of traditional Chinese herbs. This delectable dish is also said to have medicinal qualities.
Er Kuai
One of the most conventional foods of Dali is Er Kuai, a rice-based dish. The rice is first washed, soaked, stewed and then mashed into a paste, before being molded into various lumps, slices and shreds. It is usually grilled over burning charcoals with a sugar, walnut, or sesame filling.
Xizhou Town Ba Ba
Ba Ba is in fact a kind of savoury snack made from wheat flour. The dough is first rolled into a cake shape and is then sprinkled with a combination of chopped onions, salt and diced ham before being baked in oil. This local fast-food is favored by both locals and travelers alike.
Most of the best and charming restaurants in the Xiaguan/Dali area are in the ancient city (Dali Gucheng), where the town is mostly inhabited by ethnic Bai people. The local Bai people still boast some distinguishing characteristics, their Bai cuisine being an important aspect of the culture. Some famous Bai dishes are earthenware pot fish, the "three cups of tea" and milk fan, a kind of dairy product like cheese. These authentic Bai dishes can be found in Dali Gucheng at the Bailixiang and Jingjing Snack House. The Apricot Flower Restaurant also has Bai food and other Chinese regional food.
But what has really made Dali famous among foreign travelers is the small backpacker cafes, guesthouses and restaurants on Huguo Lu. Also known as "foreigner's street", this street boasts some great restaurants serving a full range of Western, Yunnan, Bai and Chinese dishes. Each of these restaurants has their own distinct features and menu. Some of the most frequented cafes are the Tibetan Cafe, Cafe De Jack, the Old Wooden House and the Sunshine Cafe. Yunnan Cafe, Dali Window and Claire's Cafe are also very popular. Food is not the only reason people come to the cafes in Dali, the cafes also offer a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, cool music and cold beer. Many places also have comprehensive travel information, ticket booking service and bicycle rental. The followings are the specialties and dishes.
Dali Earthenware Pot Fish
Fish cooked in an earthenware pot (Dali shaguoyu) is one of the famous dishes in Dali. It is made with magnolia petals, mushrooms, and slices of ham, pork, and chicken. However, what makes this dish special to Dali is the Erhai Lake carp or "bowfish" (Gongyu). After being salted, the fish is cooked in a crock-pot of sorts along with bean curd, carrot slices and cabbage.
Dengchuan Milk Fan
Owning to the fact that there is vast pasture around Dali, which is safe from pollution, milk produced here is second to none. And among the numerous dairy products, Dengchuan Milk Fan (dengchuan rushan) is the most popular because of its richness in nutrition and special appearance.
It is made by mixing yogurt with fresh milk. They are cooked similarly to pancakes, although can also be steamed or boiled. Dairy Fans are a common local food and can be found served on many of the city's roadsides and lanes.
Stewed Carp Casserole
This dish is commonly served as a main course in Dali. It combines 28 different ingredients and numerous seasonings to create a dish that is both a treat for the taste-buds and nutritious.
Steamed Chicken
This typical Yunnan food is steamed in a pot using tender chicken and a variety of traditional Chinese herbs. This delectable dish is also said to have medicinal qualities.
Er Kuai
One of the most conventional foods of Dali is Er Kuai, a rice-based dish. The rice is first washed, soaked, stewed and then mashed into a paste, before being molded into various lumps, slices and shreds. It is usually grilled over burning charcoals with a sugar, walnut, or sesame filling.
Xizhou Town Ba Ba
Ba Ba is in fact a kind of savoury snack made from wheat flour. The dough is first rolled into a cake shape and is then sprinkled with a combination of chopped onions, salt and diced ham before being baked in oil. This local fast-food is favored by both locals and travelers alike.
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