The air in Kunming carries a fragrant breeze. While northern regions are blanketed in snow and southern areas feel damp and cold, the sky here is so blue it seems dripping with water, and camellias and cherry blossoms compete for beauty on the streets. But it is the vibrant street food scene that lingers most in the memory: a bowl of sizzling cross-the-bridge rice noodles, a piece of sweet flower cake, a pot of sumptuous mushroom hot pot… This city, favored by spring, conceals a poetic charm reminiscent of florals and moonlight even in its cuisine.

1.Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles

Photo from RedNot from RedNote@Nezha and Blackface

To have not tried crossing-the-bridge rice noodles is to have never visited Kunming. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, a scholar was studying diligently in the Mid-Lake Pavilion. To keep his food warm, his wife invented the ingenious "crossing-the-bridge" method: a layer of chicken oil floating atop piping hot chicken broth, followed by paper-thin slices of meat, quail eggs, and chrysanthemum petals arranged in a bowl. Finally, snow-white rice noodles were added, and with a satisfying "slurp," they slid down the throat. At that moment, it was as if you could hear the gentle breeze of Dianchi Lake brushing over the century-old stone bridge.

2. Steam Pot Chicken 

Photo from Qingqing Zijin 2019 WeChat Official Account

This dish presents a chicken broth without a drop of added water. In a specially designed steamer, steam circulates through a hollow clay pipe, condensing into a clear and rich chicken soup. The meat is so tender that it releases its juices, and the soup’s clarity is enticing enough to make anyone's mouth water. This delicacy, which has graced state banquets, is simply a homely flavor amidst the smoke rising from the old streets of Kunming.

3. Flower Cake

Photo from Ameng Talks WeChat Official Account

In the "Flower Capital of Asia," even the dim sum features flowers. Edible roses picked in the morning are honeyed for three days using traditional methods and wrapped in layers of flaky pastry, then baked to a golden hue. When you take a bite, the scent of the petals blends with the honey for a more romantic experience than a French macaron.

4. Grilled Er Kuai(Shao Er Kuai)

Photo from RedNote@VV

At seven in the morning, long lines form at Er Kuai stalls on the streets of Kunming. The glutinous Er Kuai patted into shape, is grilled over charcoal until puffed. They are smeared with fermented bean curd chili sauce and wrapped with deep-fried dough sticks, pickled vegetables, and bean sprouts, rolled into hefty “Yunnan-style tacos”. Office workers, students, and elderly people strolling with their birds all start their day with a bite of this soft and savory delight.

5. Soybean Milk

Tired of soy milk? The people of Kunming make a golden broth from pea flour! Ground peas are gently stirred over a low heat until they shimmer like silk. Topped with chili oil, ginger juice, and crushed peanuts, and pressed with a few pieces of deep-fried dough sticks, the savory essence melts on the tongue and beats even a rich French soup in comforting appeal.

6. Douhua Rice Noodles

Photo from Scenery, Food, Literature, and Beauty WeChat Official Account

When delicate Douhua(a tofu pudding) meets sour and spicy rice noodles, a sweet and salty truce is achieved. Smooth rice noodles are mixed with diced Tianjin preserved vegetables and crushed peanuts, drizzled with sauce, topped with a quivering scoop of Douhua. The interplay of sour, spicy, sweet, and savory flavors bursts into the mouth, offering more complexity than Dali’s famous Three-Course Tea. Don't forget to add a sprinkle of chopped garlic chives - a magical touch from Yunnan locals that will open up a whole new world for your taste buds.

7. Wild Mushroom Hot Pot

Photo from RedNote@ Mocha Loves Food

Every rainy season, Boletus edulis(Penny Bun), Termitomyces, and Russula virescens emerge from the soil, finding their way into bubbling pots of free-range chicken soup. No one dares touch their chopsticks until the timer goes off. But when the aroma of the mushrooms finally overwhelms your senses and you ladle a spoonful of the golden broth over your rice, you understand why the people of Yunnan are so devoted to this "culinary adventure".

Pro Tip: Suillellus luridus must be boiled for at least 20 minutes! While wild mushrooms are delicious, those unfamiliar with them should never forage and cook them on their own.

8. Guandu Baba

Photo from RedNote@Feifei Runrun (Makeup and Styling Edition)

The streets of the ancient town of Guandu are filled with a rich, roasted aroma - the smell of baba cakes being grilled over charcoal. The dough, mixed with lard, sesame, and brown sugar, is rolled out into palm-sized discs and stuck to the walls of a charcoal oven until golden on both sides. A bite reveals a crisp exterior and a soft, tender interior, with the sweetness of brown sugar melting on the tongue, reminiscent of the childhood memories of old Kunming residents.

9. Small-Pot Rice Noodles

Photo from RedNote@-It's Damei-

On the bustling streets of Kunming, a bowl of small pot rice noodles is a culinary delight not to be missed. Start by ladling in a spoonful of rich meat broth, then add the tangy fermented rice noodles, fresh garlic chives, pickled vegetables, and minced meat. As these ingredients dance together in a bubbling copper pot, they create a symphony of flavors - sweet, sour, and spicy - that Kunming locals crave every few days, longing for another satisfying bowl.

Kunming locals often say, “Our dishes have no formal system; they are just made from local ingredients.” But it is the bounty of the mountains, the wisdom of the people, and the seasonal offerings that create the unique flavors of the Spring City.

Next time you visit Kunming, don’t just think about watching the seagulls - immerse yourself in the vibrant local food scene. Taste the fresh rushan cheese at the bustling markets, indulge in the grilled juicy heart tofu from the granny's stall on the corner, and relish the sizzling, oil-dripping roasted pig trotters at the night market. Each bite is a taste of the plateau sunshine, a gourmet feast for your taste buds.