Hubei takes signature flavors from every corner of China and incorporates them into its cuisine. You'll find that the sweetness of southern Chinese dishes, the saltiness of the north, the sizzling spices of the southwest, and the pleasantly sour tang of western Chinese dishes all make an appearance on the tables of Hubei. Local specialties derive from a combination of Wuhan's simpler flavors and the heavier dishes of Jingzhou and Huangzhou. Preparation centers on steaming, stewing, deep-frying, braising and stir-frying, with a thick mixture of starch and water, lending many dishes a strong, straightforward taste. Hubei food is said to characterize folk culture by its uncomplicated purity.

Wuhan cuisine, with its long history and focus on preparation, enjoys an excellent reputation. As the arrangement of each dish should be colorful and tantalizing to the eye, Wuhan's chefs attach much significance to the expert use of a kitchen knife, the attractive pairing of colors and the overall design of the finished product. Delicately simmered soups are done particularly well in Wuhan and are worth a try. Lightly cooked freshwater fish and various dishes steamed with a thin, starchy sauce are two prominent features of Jingzhou cooking; while Huangzhou fare is famed for its perfect mastery of temperature control throughout the baking process, and salting and oiling food that recalls of the dense, robust flavors of the countryside. After Chairman Mao's visit to Hubei, he was known to proclaim, "Enjoy Wuchang fish immediately after drinking well water in Changsha". Thanks to the quality of the seafood and the Chairman's approval, Wuchang fish is known far and wide. Distinctive local snacks such as mianwo (thin, round fried dough with a crispy center), doupi (stuffed bean-milk skin), youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks), hot braised noodles, doufunao (bean curd jelly), and huanxituo (sweet glutinous rice ball with sesame seeds) can be bought on Hubei street corners for a pittance. Other must-tries include catfish from Donghu and charcoal grilled whole pigeons served with a spinkling of chilli. You can try some of these dishes on the floating restaurants at the end of Bayi Lu on the shore of Donghu, where you can pick your catfish before they cook it.

For the cheapest food, explore the little alleys around town. However, many people like Hubu Lane Breakfast Street, Qiaokou Food Street and Jiqing Street Food Culture Street, all of which serve inexpensive provinicial cuisine. Try the night markets on Minsheng Lu and Jianghan Lu in Hankou, as they are good places to find a variety of inexpensive food. If you have a craving for Western food, try the Holiday Inn, Shangri-La, or New World Countryard Wuhan. Bakeries with crunchy rolls and French bread are also fairly common. There's a good one in the lobby of the Holiday Inn on Jiefang Dadao.

Hubu Lane Breakfast Street
Hubu Lane has been operational since 1930; famous for serving all kinds of typical local foods, such as Shi' s Hot Braised Noodles, Wan' s Rice Wine, etc.

Qiaokou Food Street
Qiaokou Food Street is a 1200-meter long street dotted with over 30 restaurants on both sides of the street that specialize in Hubei cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Cantonese cuisine.

Jiqing Street Food Culture Street
Jiqing Street is a famous food street that serves some of Wuhan favorite dietary staples and local snacks. Enjoying a long-standing reputation, the street restaurants serve eaters delicious foods while being entertained by many local musicians.

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