Our favorite foods in Wuhan

Wuhan, where we live, has an incredible variety of tasty foods that my wife and I absolutely love. Chinese food is great overall and there are some dishes that seem to be consistently found across China; however, Chinese cuisine gets particularly interesting with fantastic local specialties and variations. This is especially true in Wuhan. Here’s a look at some of our favorites and why we think they’re so special. 

Our favorite Wuhan dishes 

黄陂豆丝 (Huáng pí dòu sī) 

This one is my personal favorite! 黄陂豆丝 (Huáng pí dòu sī) is a seasonal treat usually available in the winter. It looks and tastes like a fried wide noodle dish, but it is made from a rice and bean mixture which is soaked and ground together before being shaped. It has a great texture and savory flavor. I wish I could get it all year round! 

武昌鱼 (Wŭ chāng yú) 

A family favorite is 武昌鱼 (Wŭ chāng yú), a type of freshwater fish named after the Wuchang district. Made with a mixture of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and vinegar, the first time we had this fish it blew our minds! The fish is always tender, and the sauce is so full of flavor that we spoon it on our rice. Just watch out for the bones! 

藕汤 (ŏu tāng) 

Wuhan loves lotus and so does my wife! The next few entries all contain lotus but taste incredibly different! Of all the amazing ways to eat lotus, 藕汤 (ŏu tāng) is consistently my wife’s favorite. This lotus root soup with pork bone is delicious! It’s light and refreshing—perfect for any season but very prevalent in the winter. 

藕夹 (ŏu jiá) 

For something quite different, try 藕夹 (ŏu jiá). These are lotus root slices stuffed with meat and then fried. They offer a fantastic mix of textures and flavors. They are also fun and easy to make with the right Chinese friends! 

荷叶煎鸡蛋 (Hé yè jiān jī dàn) 

Tomato and egg is a common dish across China (and quite good) but when we first tried 荷叶煎鸡蛋 (Hé yè jiān jī dàn)—or lotus leaf fried eggs—recently in Wuhan, we were thrilled! It reminds us of a frittata or a flat crustless quiche. Only available seasonally, it is a unique dish that combines the flavor of eggs with the aroma and flavor of young lotus leaves.  

红菜苔 (Hóng cài tái) 

Seasonal vegetables are full of fresh delights. We have tried so many new vegetables in Wuhan. One in particular that we really enjoy is 红菜苔 (Hóng cài tái), a type of red Chinese kale. It's crunchy and adds a nice pop of color to our meals. 

豆皮 (Dòu pí) 

For breakfast, my wife loves 豆皮 (Dòu pí). It’s a traditional Wuhan snack made with sticky rice, pork, mushrooms, and young bamboo, all wrapped in a thin layer of egg. She orders it with colleagues at least once a week. 

热干面 (Rè gān miàn) 

You can't talk about Wuhan breakfast food without mentioning 热干面 (Rè gān miàn). These hot dry noodles are mixed with sesame paste and spices and are a classic breakfast item here. They're a big hit with both locals and visitors. We frequently get them as a family for lunch on Saturdays. 

欢喜坨 (Huān xĭ tuó) 

For a perfect Wuhan dessert, try 欢喜坨 (Huān xĭ tuó). They are sweet, sticky rice balls covered in sesame seeds and then fried so that have both a crispy and chewy texture. My kids and I love them!! 

锅盔(Guō kuī)

Last but not least, while this food technically did not originate in Wuhan but rather Jingzhou (another city in Hubei province), we love it so much that it is worth mentioning. 锅盔 (Guō kuī) is a popular street food in Wuhan and is perfect as a snack or light meal. This crispy flatbread, with its golden-brown crust and soft interior, is stuffed with savory fillings like minced meat or pickled vegetables (or sometimes even chocolate or sugar). It’s made by pressing the filled dough against the inside of a large, heated metal barrel. It comes out hot, crispy, and delicious! Add la jiao for spice if desired!!   

Seasonal fruits in Wuhan 

Besides the amazing dishes, Wuhan also offers a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits. Unlike what you might expect in the West, some fruits here are available during unusual times of the year, thanks to hothouse farming. While not exclusive to Wuhan, it’s still worth explaining the amazing fruit on offer in our city. 

杨梅 (Yáng méi) 

My favorite fruit is 杨梅 (Yáng méi), or Chinese bayberry. It’s sweet and tart, and a wonderful treat during the summer. The season is short and if you don’t have the fruit at its peak, it is not very good. However, a good 杨梅 (Yáng méi) may be my favorite fruit in the world. 

火龙果 (Huŏ lóng guŏ) 

火龙果 (Huŏ lóng guŏ), or dragon fruit, is another one we love. Its bright pink skin and speckled flesh make it as delightful to look at as it is to eat. The inside is either white or pink with small black seeds. 

草莓 (Căo méi) 

Available around the world, what makes strawberries (草莓 Căo méi) unique in Wuhan is that they become available in the winter due to hothouses! Westerners may be accustomed to winter citrus, but the abundance of strawberries during the winter remains an annual delight. They provide a juicy and sweet burst of flavor during the colder months. 

芒果 (Máng guŏ) 

芒果 (Máng guŏ), or mango, is a tropical delight we enjoy whenever we can. Its juicy, golden flesh is always refreshing. They arrive in the spring by the truckload. 

荔枝 (Lì zhī) 

My wife’s favorite is 荔枝 (Lì zhī), or lychee. Its sweet and floral flavor is a quintessential summer treat here in Wuhan. This flavor finds its way into juice, ice pops, and teas. Yummy! 

In conclusion, Wuhan’s food scene is diverse and delicious, offering something for everyone. From the savory delights of 黄陂豆丝 (Huáng pí dòu sī) and 藕汤 (ǒu tāng) to the sweet indulgences of 杨梅 (Yáng méi) and 荔枝 (Lì zhī), exploring the flavors of this city has been a wonderful journey.

We hope you get to enjoy these incredible tastes too!