Xiaogan Travel Guide

Xiaogan's most famous export — a crunchy, brittle confection made from maltose and sesame seeds, with a history spanning over 400 years. The candy is made by boiling maltose to the perfect consistency, then repeatedly pulling and folding in roasted sesame seeds until it forms thin, layered sheets. It has a distinctive nutty sweetness and shatters satisfyingly when bitten.

A sweet, mildly alcoholic fermented rice drink that has been made in Xiaogan for centuries. Made from glutinous rice fermented with a special starter culture, the wine is thick, creamy, and subtly sweet. It is often served warm in winter or chilled in summer and is commonly enjoyed as a dessert drink.

Fresh river fish from Yingcheng, a county-level city under Xiaogan, steamed with local pickled chilies and fermented black beans. The steaming method preserves the fish's natural tenderness while infusing it with savory, umami flavors.

Pork belly slow-braised with soy sauce, rock sugar, star anise, and local rice wine until the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The version in Xiaogan uses their famous rice wine as a key ingredient, giving the dish a unique sweetness and depth.

Seasonal wild greens foraged from the fields and hills of Anlu County, simply blanched and dressed with garlic, sesame oil, and vinegar. The specific greens vary by season — shepherd's purse in spring, bitter herbs in summer — but always fresh and locally sourced.