Grilled tofu is a famous snack in Jianshui. The tofu is curdled with water from Daban Well, lending it an extra fresh and delicate flavour. It is sold at barbecue stalls every evening, costing only 20 to 30 cents per piece.

The steam pot is handcrafted from Jianshui purple pottery. A young chicken is cleaned and chopped into chunks, then placed into the pot together with ginger, salt, green onions and amomum tsao-ko before the lid is sealed tight. The steam pot sits on top of a water-filled soup pot, and all gaps are plugged with gauze to trap steam, then the whole set is heated over fire. The chicken meat is tender, and the broth rich and aromatic. This dish is available in all restaurants across Jianshui, priced at roughly 30 yuan for two people and 60 yuan for six.

Shaped like a bird’s nest, this pastry features snowflake-like frosting atop its white nest-shaped base, making it visually appealing. It is fragrant, crisp, fluffy and melts instantly in your mouth. A box costs only three to five yuan.

Premium glutinous rice, rice maltose and a small amount of cane sugar form the core ingredients of Lion Cake. Production process: Soak glutinous rice in clean water for 10 to 15 days, steam thoroughly, knead into dough and roll flat, cut into strips and air-dry. Deep-fry the strips in vegetable oil until puffed and crisp. Once cooled, coat them with a blend of 80% rice maltose and 20% cane sugar, flatten and slice to finish. The pastry boasts a crisp, sweet and delightful taste, also priced three to five yuan per box. Tip: Both Bird’s Nest Pastry and Lion Cake can be purchased at Beizheng Shopping Center.

Address: Outside West Gate, Jianshui County Phone: 13987330798 Opening Hours: 07:00 – 02:00 (Barbecue service runs 16:00 – 02:00) Though the shop looks plain and unassuming, it is a time-honored local eatery with a 20-year history. It sells thousands of pieces of grilled tofu every single day.

Address: No. 458 Lin’an Road, Jianshui County Phone: 0873-7650660 Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00 Situated close to the West Gate, it offers tasty dishes at affordable prices with a clean dining environment. Standout dishes include stir-fried water chestnut shoots with meat (12 yuan) and plain stir-fried water chestnut shoots (8 yuan).

Address: Mid-section of Hanlin Street, Jianshui County Phone: 0873-7655655 Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00 Decorated in the style of an ancient wine house and tavern, this venue was a filming location for the TV drama A Bowl Under Heaven.