Dali Cuisine

For travellers who come to Dali, the impression of it you get is not only about the classical poetic views like “the breeze in Xiaguan blows the blossoms in Shangguan”, and “the moonshine in Erhai shines over the snow in Cang Mountain”, but also the variety of unforgettable Dali Bai cuisine. The local foods are mostly cooked in Bai style.

1. Casserole Fish

The casserole fish is a famous dish in Dali in which carp is usually the fish chosen by the chef. Firstly they put a pre-fried fish in a casserole, leaving the fish head and tail outside the dish, then they pour nice chicken soup, chicken, ham, and Tofu into it. The last step is to stew it with the seasonings. You won’t forget the sweet taste of it.

Features: fresh ingredients, unique sweet smell, unforgettable taste
Where to eat: Flying Dragon Restaurant, Palm Well Restaurant
Address: 130 Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City; 300 meters north from North Coach Station on Heqing Road

2. Yongping Braised Chicken

Yongping braised chicken was known as ‘the first dish’ in western Yunnan. Deep fried flower pepper, sliced ginger and hot pepper is the first step. Then put Yongping chicken, soy sauce and garlic in the pot. Braise them together till the water in chicken has evaporated enough. It’s time to enjoy ‘the first dish’!

Features: with a strong, tasty aroma, but not greasy
Where to eat: Palm Well Restaurant, Mr. Duan in Dali Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Theme Restaurant
Address: 130 Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City; 45 Fuan Lane, the lower section of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City

3. Papaya Chicken

This dish is famous in Bai cuisine. Shredded chicken cooked with sour shredded papaya is a good way to keep their nutrition. The ingredients are then braised with sliced garlic and hot pepper for 30 minutes. Papaya chicken could improve appetites and is good for your health.

Features: fresh and tasty
Where to eat: Stone Well Kitchen, Spring Cang and Erhai Restaurant
Address: 330 the lower section of Yuer Road (in the left alley opposite to Yangfu restaurant); 84 the upper section of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City

4. Steamed Meat with Pickled Plums

Farmers pick plums in Spring and press them with a chrysanthemum pattern stamp. Then they put them in clear water with salt to remove the sour taste. The pickled plums are taken out after several months of sugar water soaking, and steamed with fresh meat for 4 hours.

Features: with a sweet fragrance and tasty
Where to eat: Stone Well Kitchen, Spring Cang and Erhai Restaurant
Address: 330 the lower section of Yuer Road (in the left alley opposite Yangfu restaurant); 84 the upper section of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City

5. Dali Hot and Sour Fish

This dish is a popular part of the cuisine for Bai people with its mixed flavors of sour, light sweet and hot. Firstly, fry flower pepper, then add sliced garlic and ginger, and lastly boil the prepared fish with sour papaya and Tofu.

Features: sour and sweet papaya, fresh and spicy fish with Tofu
Where to eat: Runjiu Jiayuan Restaurant, Spring Cang and Erhai Restaurant
Address: 15 meters east from the cross at Longkan Harbor and Cunnan road; 84 the upper section of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient City

Features: the first cup is bitter, then sweet, and then fragrant
Where to eat: Auspicious Red Restaurant
Address: next to the big banyan (opposite Dali treasure jade shop) in Kanghai Village, Shuanglang Town

6. Eight bowls Course

This is a traditional set menu for the Dali Bai people to treat their guests. There are generally eight dishes, including red yeast meat, steamed fish, thousand layers’ meat, fungus tofu, crispy meat bamboo shoots, water fans, golden silk beans, and lily meatballs. Plu a platter and shrimp soup. You can taste sour, sweet, and spicy from these dishes and they are just like what life gives to you.

Features: a healthy set menu, rich in nutrition
Where to eat: Local Eight- bowls Course feasts

7. Meat with Yunnan Cake Thread

Yunnan cake thread is chewy and silky. This dish is a perfect mix of meat soup, cake thread, pepper, leek and soy sauce.

Features: colorful, with a strong taste
Where to eat: Weishan Liu Restaurant (Traditional Huoba Meat and Yunnan Cake Thread Restaurant)
Address: 50 meters away from the cross of Canglang road and Binchuan road