'Guozao' Breakfast Culture
The Alluring Charm of Morning Fare
There is a distinctive breakfast culture, "Guozao 过早", in Wuhan. In the early morning, the streets and alleys of the three towns in Wuhan are filled with the fragrance of food. For locals in Wuhan, Guozao is not simply having breakfast; it is a source of daytime energy as well as a special symbol of Wuhan culture.
Wuhan is geographically advantageous. People from all over the country gather here, bringing a rich and diverse food culture. Wuhan citizens pour their profound love for life into Guozao and start a dynamic day with a lavish breakfast. “Guozao” is a life ritual for Wuhan citizens. No matter how busy their day is, they will always sit down and have a good breakfast. It is also an important social moment, strengthening the bonds among neighbors. Neighbors who have known each other for years gather in front of the breakfast stalls, relishing good food while sharing the little things in their lives.
Here are some of the traditional local delicacies in Wuhan, and they also represent Wuhan's unique culinary culture. Wuhan residents like to choose them as their breakfast food.
The Most Popular Wuhan Breakfast
DoupiDoupi: Doupi is a marvelous mixture of softness, stickiness and crispness. It is regarded as the “gem in the breakfast scene”. Substantial effort goes into preparing a blend of glutinous rice, eggs, mung beans and rice. When eating, it has to be cut into small pieces with a spatula. In the mouth, the soft and sticky glutinous rice, the fragrant stuffing, and the crispy texture blend together, creating a most intoxicating layering of flavors.
Hot Dry NoodlesHot Dry Noodles: In the rich tapestry of Wuhan's breakfast food culture, hot dry noodles are definitely the well-deserved "king." Its origin is steeped in legend. As the legend goes, a peddler named Li Bao, by chance, oiled and dried the unsold noodles first and then added seasonings such as sesame paste. After mixing, they tasted unexpectedly good, and thus hot dry noodles were born. With a bite, the noodles are smooth and chewy, and the flavors of the seasonings burst forth instantly on the tip of the tongue, leaving one craving for more.
MianwoMianwo: Mianwo is another characteristic delicacy of Wuhan's "Guozao" (breakfast) culture. It has a thin middle part while the edges are thick, forming a concave shape that resembles a small golden nest. The main ingredients for making Mianwo are rice and soybeans. These two ingredients should be soaked in advance. After that, the soybeans and rice are ground into a rice paste, and then an appropriate amount of seasoning is added to it. The freshly fried Mianwo exudes a pleasant aroma. It has a crispy exterior and a soft interior in terms of texture. It not only gives off the delicate fragrance of rice but also the rich flavor of soybeans. The thin and crispy part in the center makes a crunching sound when bitten into, leaving people with a lingering aftertaste.
Where do the residents of Wuhan and tourists from other places choose to experience the "Guozao" culture when they are in Wuhan? Here are some popular food streets where you can enjoy traditional Wuhan breakfast.
Top Wuhan Breakfast Food Streets
Lanling Road
Lanling Road is short, yet it is more than sufficient for enjoying Wuhan's "Guozao" (a unique breakfast culture). The Minsheng Sweet Food Restaurant, which has been in existence for some time, can cater to the breakfast needs of many customers. After having breakfast, you can take a leisurely stroll along Li Huangpi Road. There, you will encounter remnants of ancient architecture from the Republic of China era as well as various memorial halls. The entire street is steeped in the charm of history.
Wuhan-style "Raw-boiled" is a well-known local snack. Among them, Wangji Raw-boiled Beef Tripe is highly renowned. The beef served here is extremely tender, though it still has a bit of chewiness, and the portion size is quite generous. The radishes are cooked to perfection, exuding a rich flavor, and the vermicelli has a smooth and slippery texture. Overall, the dish has a relatively salty taste, which is in line with the characteristic of Wuhan breakfast dishes that are typically rich in oil and salt. For just over ten yuan, you can enjoy a bowl of vermicelli with meat that is sure to satisfy your hunger.
Jiangpo Wonton is another wonton eatery that has been operating for over twenty years and has established an excellent reputation on Lanling Road. All the wontons here are handmade. They are characterized by their thin wrappers and substantial fillings, and the ingredients used are of high quality, appearing fresh and hearty.
The filling of lotus root and fresh meat combines the delicate fragrance of the lotus root. The lotus root pieces are not mashed, retaining a crisp and fresh texture. As a result, a large number of people flock here for breakfast.
Liangdao Street
This most low-key food street has gathered numerous small food stores, and there is a wide variety of distinctive delicacies. Here are some very popular food stores on Liangdao Street.
Chen Dayan's Dalian Grilled Fresh SquidChen Dayan's Dalian Grilled Fresh Squid: The popularity of this grilled squid lies in the fresh supply of ingredients and the secret sauce. The squid is processed and refrigerated on the first day, and then taken out and put on the grill on the second day. The sound of a large bunch of squid sizzling with oil on the grill is both healing and pleasant. Paired with the boss's exclusive secret sauce, the salty, fresh and spicy flavors hit the taste buds, making it impossible to stop eating.
Xiong Taipo's DumplingsXiong Taipo's Dumplings: Xiong Taipo's is a century-old store with a four-generation inheritance. The delicious soup paired with the dumplings stuffed full of fillings makes people can't help but want another bowl.
Qin Feishu's Guilin Rice Noodles: It is a store with decades of history. The pure beef tallow flavored soup is the reason why it is so popular.
Master Zhao's Sesame Pancake Wrapped with Shaomai: The delicious shaomai is wrapped in a crispy sesame pancake, and then sprinkled with black pepper. One bite will bring you an unexpected surprise.