Lanzhou Morning Market: Beef Noodles and Fresh Food
Video transcript
Hello friends, I'm DaWen. Today I'm exploring Lanzhou, a city in northwestern China. It's 7:00 a.m. For many locals, a bowl of noodles is the perfect way to start the day. Me: One bowl of beef noodles, please. The dough is made from high-gluten wheat flour. High-gluten wheat flour contains more gluten, making it elastic enough to be stretched into long, thin noodles without breaking. The broth is slowly simmered with beef bones for a rich flavor. Local beef noodles are usually served with chili paste, but I skipped it. The broth has a distinct beef
flavor with a light savory taste and a subtle sweetness. After adding vegetables and pickled radish, the flavors become richer, brighter, and more refreshing. Now let's explore the local morning market. Customer: This local yellow variety tastes better than the red one. It's my first time seeing yellow tomatoes. They're noticeably sweeter and more aromatic than regular red tomatoes. This stall sells steamed cured pork. As it's sliced, the glistening fat releases both its aroma and shine. Me: That cured pork looks amazing! After being steamed for hours,
the fat turns translucent and tender, while the lean meat becomes soft and easy to slice. The sliced cured pork can be eaten as it is, or used as a filling for flatbread. The local style is savory rather than smoky. You've probably seen black mulberries, but have you ever seen white ones? White mulberries are sweeter than black ones, and they won't stain your hands or lips. 😄 This stall specializes in spiced braised pork ribs. The long line says everything about its popularity. The ribs are braised fresh throughout the day, filling the air with the
aroma of meat and spices, making it hard to walk past without wanting a taste. Braised pork head is another favorite delicacy in northern China. After hours of slow cooking, the meat, skin, and bone separate effortlessly, creating a soft, tender texture. Common spices used for these braised pork dishes include star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, tsaoko, bay leaves, and more. If you enjoy cooking, buying fresh ribs and making them yourself can save you quite a bit of money. Boiled edamame is a popular summer snack in China. It's tender, with a
light, natural bean flavor. Roasted sunflower seeds and beans are perfect snacks for chatting and passing the time. These crispy fried broad beans are so addictive that it's hard to stop eating them. In China, live fish are generally preferred over chilled fish. Largemouth Bass has no tiny intramuscular bones, making it ideal for steaming or grilling. This stall specializes in Sichuan Pepper Braised Chicken. Vendor: Free samples! The basic preparation is simple: Sichuan peppercorns, chilies, and other spices are placed inside the chicken, then it's
slowly braised until fully infused with flavor. The bold aroma of Sichuan pepper stands out, and the more you chew, the more flavorful it becomes. Sweet peppers are very affordable, only 4 RMB/kg (0.25 USD/lb). This stall sells a traditional staple from northwestern China— Thick Wheat Jelly Noodles. It's an affordable everyday favorite for many locals. Simply toss it with garlic water, vinegar, chili oil, sesame paste, and seasoned sauce, and it becomes a satisfying and delicious meal. Red beans are a beloved traditional ingredient in China. They're
commonly used as a sweet filling for Chinese pastries. These dried apricots are sweet with a hint of tartness— just looking at them makes my mouth water. 🤤 In China, red dates are widely valued as a nourishing food. These are Peeled Crayfish. The meat may be small, but it's incredibly addictive. In China, it's commonly prepared with spicy, garlic, or thirteen-spice seasoning. This variety is called the Early Crispy Pear. It ripens earlier than most other pear varieties. Even though the skin is still green, it's already ripe, crisp, juicy, and
naturally sweet. Blush Mango gets its name from its reddish skin and is sweet, juicy, and aromatic. In Lanzhou, golden fried pastries and baked flatbreads are everywhere. Northern China has long, cold winters, so filling, high-calorie fried wheat foods have long been a local favorite. These Fried Wheat Cakes are savory, crispy on the outside and soft inside, with a rich wheat aroma. Locals often enjoy them with a cup of milk tea, where the savory pastry and sweet drink balance each other perfectly. The cherries are eye-catching, and surprisingly
affordable. This stall sells Lanzhou's famous Rose Sauce Pork Knuckle. Rose sauce is added while the pork knuckle is braised, blending savory pork with a delicate floral sweetness. Rich, yet never greasy. A subtle rose fragrance fills the entire stall. "Cucumbers: 0.8 RMB/kg Watermelons: 0.7 RMB/kg" This stall sells Braised & Fried Crispy Chicken. Braising first and frying afterward creates an extra crispy, fragrant skin. After exploring the morning market, I was greeted by a mountain of baked and fried pastries. It's the kind of display that naturally
draws people in. With so many choices, I wanted to try them all, but couldn't decide where to start. I bought a scallion flatbread, a crispy fried flatbread, a red bean pastry, and a flaky fried pastry. Lightly savory, with a rich nutty aroma, and even more flavorful with every bite. This fried cake is sweet with an extra crispy crust. This one is filled with sweet red bean paste. Soft, sweet, and absolutely delicious! This is a scallion flatbread. It's savory, with plenty of scallions and a wonderfully flaky crust. 😋 I'll save the rest for dinner.
😄 You're the best audience! Thank you for exploring Lanzhou's morning market with me. See you on the next delicious adventure in China!
