Talk about Shanxi Food No. 4: Datong Food and Snacks

The snacks in Yuncheng were discussed above. Most of them are famous for their earthy color and earthy aroma. However, due to the limitations of economic conditions and products, Yuncheng mainly focuses on white noodles. Yixiangge is currently the most popular Yuncheng restaurant in Taiyuan. In addition to the tripe-shabu-shabu, it also has staple dishes such as mahua cauliflower rolls and fried noodles. In fact, there is also an innovative Yuncheng restaurant in Taiyuan, which is the Chinese New Year restaurant next to N1 in North America. I went to 5A restaurant once the year before last. In addition to its good carrot, tofu and egg dumplings, their Yuncheng copper hot pot is very delicious. The braised pork is cut very thin and is served with golden sea rice. The taste is relatively delicate and it is worth recommending.

When it comes to the food quality of Shanxi, besides the provincial capital Taiyuan, Datong should be the first choice. First, because Datong was the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty in history and has a deep cultural heritage. Secondly, it is close to Beijing, making it easier to accept advanced culture. Thirdly, Datong's coal industry was once glorious, and the army was also glorious in Datong. They brought with them the consumption concept of drinking cold water today and drinking cold water tomorrow. Living in Datong for a long time, living in this world, food and clothing are the essence of Datong culture. More than ten years ago, there were four or five five-star hotels in the small city of Datong. Many people in Datong believed that it made sense that the standard of Datong hotels was higher than that of Taiyuan.

When I was in college, the most beautifully dressed girls on campus were Datong girls. Only the Datong boys insisted on wearing suits and ties every day. No matter how many cents of food money they had in their pockets, they at least took care of themselves. Spiritual spirit drops. In the 1990s, there were high-end hotels in Datong such as Yungang Hotel, Yanbei Hotel, Hongqi Restaurant, and the Intelligent Club. Especially the Intelligent Club, where you can eat, bathe, and sauna. Its boss was also a man who was able to play in the 1990s. A legendary figure who borrowed billions of dollars in loans, but later came to light and stayed in South Africa for more than ten years. Last year, he voluntarily returned to China and surrendered during the national red notice operation because he ran out of money. While he was on the run, a pair of plaques that had been enshrined on the stage of Wuye Temple in Mount Wutai were never taken down. His names were only blackened out with black ink, which shows his great influence.

After entering the new millennium, Datong has frequently changed its leaders. Each leader has a different idea. Moreover, the main leaders often cannot urinate in a pot. In addition, Datong’s coal resources are gradually depleted, which has led to the development of Datong. Luliang Changzhi and Linfen surpassed him. During his five years in Datong from 2008 to 2013, Geng Yanbo gave a decisive boost to the urban construction of Datong. The municipal party committee secretary who came from Beijing later was also a bold and pragmatic person, which is why Datong did not fall too far behind. It can be seen that There are one or two wise leaders in a place, which play a huge role in its development.

I remember when I went to Datong ten years ago, all the municipal leaders in the Datong team whose families were living in other places all stayed in the five-star Howard Johnson Hotel, with a suite for each person, a luxurious buffet, a swimming pool, a gym, etc. , it’s so damn enviable. A leader invited me to have dinner at the newly opened Fenglin Pavilion. He told me that the owner of the restaurant offered an annual salary of 1 million and invited a couple from Inner Mongolia who made siomai. I heard this and praised him. The store will be popular, why? An annual salary of 1 million yuan is exchanged for tens of millions of advertising effects. Who doesn’t want to eat the siomai made by a master with an annual salary of 1 million yuan? To eat such expensive siomai, why don’t you want a few side dishes? Do you have to drink a bar if you have vegetables and meat? This is the courage and vision of people in Datong when it comes to food. Unfortunately, due to road demolition and other reasons, Fenglin Pavilion in Datong has been closed. It’s still open at Fenglin Pavilion in Taiyuan Wanda Plaza, so you can try it.

The most famous snack in Datong is noodles. The model of a bowl of shaved noodles, braised pork, dried tofu and meatballs has spread across half of China, giving our Shanxi cuisine a little bit of a breath of fresh air. The secret of its success is that it has made a Chinese standard program that is close to Western fast food standards, and the threshold is Low, easy to enter, easy to promote. But the shortcomings are also obvious, because there is no strong parent company support and no strong unified brand (there are several brands, such as Dongfang, Shunliu, Qizhong Sliced ??Noodles, etc.). There is no centralized distribution of raw materials, so it is impossible to reach a certain level of scale. I know a friend who is the agent for Mr. Li’s California Beef Noodles. According to him, Mr. Li's beef noodles are definitely fake foreigners operated by the Chinese but completely borrowed from McDonald's and KFC's business model. It is headquartered in Handan, Hebei, and all the raw materials (including noodles) are delivered. You only need to pay the franchise fee. From the location to The management has a strict system. Even if you are a rookie and don’t understand business, you will still be able to earn a fixed return every year. Therefore, there is a reason why Mr. Li’s beef noodles are sold everywhere in the country (especially high-speed rail stations).

There is also a snack in Datong called yellow cake dipped in chicken. The raw material is yellow rice noodles. First mix them with warm water into pieces (loose grains), steam them in a basket, then pour them into a basin and knead them with your hands. Once, rub some sesame oil on the surface while kneading. This can prevent the surface of the cake from drying out. Finally, divide the reconciled cake into small pieces and dip it into stewed chicken or meat and vegetable juice before eating. Yellow cake has the four characteristics of "yellow, soft, gluten and fragrant". It tastes soft and delicious, and is very delicious. But it’s hard to eat it in one bite if you don’t know how to eat it, because it’s too soft and sticky. You have to tear a small piece and knead it into a ball, and then drink it with chicken soup before you can swallow it. Otherwise, it will stick to your mouth, which is very embarrassing. What’s interesting is that people in Datong have another meaning for yellow rice. In the 1960s and 1970s, miners from the Datong Mining Bureau were paid well. Most of them were single. After they were paid every month, beauties from nearby villages would carry it on their backs. I brought a small bag of yellow rice and sold it to the miners. When I walked in, I asked whether the yellow rice was measured. Although the yellow rice was more expensive, everyone was very happy.

In the early 1990s, there was a star enterprise in Datong, Datong Tongfeng Meat Products Factory. His cooked meat products, such as braised pork, braised meatballs, etc., tasted very good and were very popular in North China. At that time The performance absolutely beats the current Liuweizhai. Unfortunately, the star factory director Tai Aiguo Shang Eryou Zeshi was promoted to be the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Commerce, and later went to Yangquan to be the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee. There was an additional leader in the officialdom, but the company lacked a backbone, and within a few years Tongfeng Factory also collapsed. If Datong can launch a nationwide chain of shaved noodle brands, called Tongfeng shaved noodles chain store, like Shaxian snacks, it will definitely lead to the economic revitalization of Datong. It is rare to see Datong shaved noodles in the south, but there is one run by us Shanxi people. Jiu Mao Jiu's big bowl of noodles has many chain stores. I heard that it has entered the GEM and is preparing to be listed. This is not a blessing.

Datong Rabbit Head is also famous. It is spicy and fragrant, and is especially suitable for drinking. I have visited many places across the country, but only Shuangliu Rabbit Head in Chengdu seems to be comparable. According to my good friend Shui Xiguan Food God Speaking of Datong, the most famous rabbit head is sold at night in a small restaurant that was converted from a dilapidated bus carriage. The tofu casserole is also very famous and is perfect for drinking and supper. But I have never eaten there, or even eaten it. regret. However, Rabbit Head has not yet formed an industry, and there are no conveniently packaged products. Chengdu’s Rabbit Head products in conveniently packaged sachets are sold everywhere in supermarkets. This is the difference. There is also Hunyuan's second sister's little daughter-in-law's jelly. The chili oil is particularly fragrant. It is also delicious with Guangling dried tofu and fried soybeans. Four or five years ago, there was a Hunyuan Girl Restaurant in the alley west of Wangfujing Department Store in Taiyuan. In addition to the jelly, the smoked chicken and smoked rabbit head, fat intestines and belly are very delicious. The staple food stewed with bean noodles is also a must-have. After shopping in Wangfujing, we often see beauties wearing Barbouri scarves and carrying Prada bags wearing Kuchi. Suck the jelly here. If you want to contact a beautiful woman, go there quickly. Please have a bowl of jelly and then go back to Wangfujing to buy a Tiffany diamond ring. The Kempinski Hotel is just two steps away.