Hello! I’m Emma Lee, a foreign food blogger who has been living in China for several years. During this time, I’ve roamed through countless streets and alleys, sampling a variety of street foods, and indulged in the exquisite dishes of high-end restaurants. Every food adventure has deepened my love for this ancient yet modern land. Today, I’m excited to take you on a culinary journey through Zhangjiajie, a beautiful city with a rich food culture. I believe the food here will amaze you. Ready to taste the unique flavors of this city?

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Zhangjiajie Dishes

Three-Stage Hot Pot

Three-Stage Hot Pot
  • Introduction: Three-Stage Hot Pot is one of the most iconic dishes of Zhangjiajie! You can choose three main ingredients such as pig intestines, pig stomach, beef tripe, pig trotters, or cured pork. These are then paired with ingredients like potatoes and onions and cooked in a dry pot. The flavor is rich, spicy, and incredibly addictive. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy with a bowl of rice.
  • Chinese Name: 三下锅
  • Pinyin: San Xia Guo
  • Main Ingredients: Cured pork, large radishes, tofu, red chili
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Fuzhengyi Three-Stage Hot Pot (Minnan Branch)
    • Address: Ziwu West Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:30 AM – 09:30 PM
    • Average Price: 62 RMB

Stewed Chicken with Stone Ear Mushrooms

Stewed Chicken with Stone Ear Mushrooms
  • Introduction: Stone ear mushrooms are a unique wild fungus that grows on cliff sides, making them particularly rare. When stewed with chicken, the soup becomes fragrant, delicious, and highly nutritious—perfect for boosting your energy and health.
  • Chinese Name: 石耳炖鸡
  • Pinyin: Shi Er Dun Ji
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, stone ear mushrooms, egg whites
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Zhaisao Dangjia (Tianmenshan Cableway Shop)
    • Address: S2-06, Huatiancheng, Xingmin Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 78 RMB

Blood Tofu

Blood Tofu
  • Introduction: Blood Tofu is a unique dish that combines tofu, pig’s blood, and pork. It is smoked with salt, chili, and other seasonings to create a rich and spicy flavor. It can be enjoyed as a snack or a side dish. The traditional preparation method brings out its distinctive, local character.
  • Chinese Name: 血豆腐
  • Pinyin: Xue Dou Fu
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, pig’s blood, tofu
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Yixinyuan Private Kitchens
    • Address: Beside Hilton Hotel, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 48 RMB

Artemisia Sticky Rice Cake

Artemisia Sticky Rice Cake
  • Introduction: Artemisia Sticky Rice Cake is made from wild Artemisia leaves and glutinous rice flour, giving it a unique fragrance. It can be steamed or fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender interior. This all-natural, green food captures the essence of Zhangjiajie’s rural flavors.
  • Chinese Name: 蒿子粑粑
  • Pinyin: Gao Zi Ba Ba
  • Main Ingredients: Artemisia leaves, rice flour, cured pork
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Gongzi Artemisia Sticky Rice Cake (Jiaotou 2nd Shop)
    • Address: No. 14, Jiaotou 2nd Parking Lot, Jiefang Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
    • Average Price: 6 RMB

Tujia Braised Pork

Tujia Braised Pork
  • Introduction: Tujia Braised Pork is made with fatty pork belly, which is deep-fried, sliced, seasoned, and then steamed with pickled mustard greens. The result is rich, tender, and flavorful, melting in your mouth with every bite. It’s a traditional dish often seen during festive celebrations and banquet feasts.
  • Chinese Name: 土家扣肉
  • Pinyin: Tu Jia Kou Rou
  • Main Ingredients: Pork belly
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Zhaizi Lide Bobocai (Glamour Xiangxi Shop)
    • Address: 591-593 Wuling Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 75 RMB

Drumskin (A type of Tujia Traditional Snack)

Drumskin (A type of Tujia traditional snack)
  • Introduction: Drumskin is made from meat scraps from the cow’s spine, combined with the essential chili pepper, a key ingredient in Hunan cuisine. It’s spicy, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with family-style noodles and vegetables.
  • Chinese Name: 打鼓皮
  • Pinyin: Da Gu Pi
  • Main Ingredients: Beef spine, chili
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • North Station Pangsao Drumskin Restaurant (Jinxiu Biancheng Branch)
    • Address: Southeast Gate, Jinxiu Biancheng, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 08:30 PM
    • Average Price: 67 RMB

Stir-fried Chili with Cured Pork

Stir-fried Chili with Cured Pork
  • Introduction: Stir-fried Chili with Cured Pork is the perfect balance of heat and flavor. The combination of smoky cured pork and fresh chilies creates a spicy, savory dish that is irresistibly delicious. Once you take a bite, you won’t want to stop!
  • Chinese Name: 辣椒炒腊肉
  • Pinyin: La Jiao Chao La Rou
  • Main Ingredients: Cured pork, chili
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Zhaizi Lide Bobocai (Tianmenshan Cableway Shop)
    • Address: Left of Hilton Hotel, Nanchengjinzuo, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 90 RMB

Teppanyaki (Grilled on a Metal Plate)

Teppanyaki (Grilled on a Metal Plate)
  • Introduction: Teppanyaki is a fun and interactive dining experience where fresh ingredients sizzle on a metal plate in front of you. Whether it’s seafood, vegetables, or meats, everything comes to life on the hot grill, providing a satisfying and flavorful experience with every bite!
  • Chinese Name: 铁板烧
  • Pinyin: Tie Ban Shao
  • Main Ingredients: Fresh meat, vegetables, seafood
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Wudaoshui Teppanyaki (Zhangjiajie Yijue) Beizheng Street Head Office
    • Address: Beside Construction Bank, Beizheng Street, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
    • Average Price: 61 RMB

Essential Zhangjiajie Travel Resources