Special Food of Longtan Ancient Town

Forefathers in Longtan Ancient Town created the colorful national culture as well as the traditional food culture with special flavors of Tujia nationality and Miao nationality. What is worth mentioned are the four well-known special food in Longtan Ancient Town-Spicy Hot Tea, Li Zhengyuan Mutton Noodles, Xiao Mazi Tofu and Qiqi Cake.

Spicy Hot Tea

It is said that the Spicy Hot Tea was created by the first Zhifu (an official title similar to the head of a county today) of Youyang in Qianglong years of Qing Dynasty. After he came here, Youyang was not agreeing with him and thus he fell sick. One day, a good idea occurred to him that he might treat his disease by means of drinking the tea. So he ordered his housekeeper to make the soup with some tea, chilies powder, pepper powder, sweet basil and mints. He drank this special tea when it was still hot and recovered magically. Therefore, the Spicy Hot Tea is not only with unique delicious flavors but also with high medical value.

Li Zhengyuan Mutton Noodles

Li Zhengyuan Mutton Noodles was created in the 1930s. It was made of the goats' meat of Wuling area saturated in the mountain spring water. After it was cut into slices, it was stir-fried with high fire and then was boiled with the condiments of local brewing wine, chilies, anise and so on. The characters of Li Zhengyuan Mutton Noodles are fresh and tasty without the smelling of mutton.

Xiao Mazi Tofu

The unique cooking method has been lost with the death of Xiao Mazi in the early period after liberation. It is said that the key skill of making Xiao Mazi Tofu lies in the right amount of diatery alkali. Xiao Mazi Tofu is with delicate texture but not sticky. It was quite famous in the Longtan Ancient Town at that time.

Qiqi Cake

Qiqi Cake is made mainly with the material of Longtan rice. Soak the rice in the water until it swells up. Grind the rice into paste on the stone mills and put the paste in a wooden basin. Knead the paste into balls and steam them in the steamers. Then stir it with brown sugar, sesames, bean powders. Then Qiqi Cake is OK and you can enjoy the delicious food.