Yunnan Puer Tea Recipes

In Puer (普洱), the Full Tea Feast (全茶宴) made with tea leaves is a local specialty dish. Even ordinary vegetables, when infused with the delicate aroma of tea, acquire a distinctive flavor that makes them stand out.

Signature Dishes:

Tea Tree Branch Stewed Chicken (茶树枝炖鸡)

The combination of tea tree branches and native chicken enhances the fragrance and freshness of the dish. After absorbing the tea broth, the chicken takes on a subtle tea aroma, making it light and refreshing.

Tea-Infused Noodles (油呛茶叶面)

Tea broth is mixed with noodles, which are then boiled and tossed with stir-fried garlic, chili, scallions, cilantro, and other seasonings. This dish is simple yet flavorful, offering a balance of taste and fragrance.

Three-Color Spring Delight (三色春意)

The "three colors" refer to the green tea leaves, the color of the pork, and the red of small chili peppers. After brewing early spring green tea leaves from the tea garden, the leftover tea leaves are mixed with lemon juice and chili to create a refreshing and appetizing dish.

Tea-Fragrant Fish Fillet (茶香鱼柳)

Fish fillets are deboned and skinless. After being coated with tea broth and egg wash, the fish is deep-fried until golden brown. Once cooled, the fillets are returned to the pan for further cooking, resulting in a crispy and flavorful dish.

Fried Tea Leaf Platter (炸茶叶拼盘)

Fresh tea leaves are coated with egg mixture and deep-fried until crispy. The crunchy tea leaves are perfect for snacking while chatting after a meal, offering a light and unique taste.

Chefs can use the different characteristics of tea to further enhance the dishes, adjusting the color, aroma, and taste of the food. What new and exciting flavors emerge when combining ripe tea, black tea, tea flowers, and ingredients?

Ripe Tea Powder-Steamed Pork (熟茶粉蒸肉)

This dish builds upon the traditional powder-steamed pork recipe but adds ripe Puer tea (普洱熟茶), which helps neutralize the richness of the dish. The glutinous rice grains remain distinct, and the dish is a must-try, with each bite bursting with flavor.

Tea-Fragrant Stuffed Eggplant (茶香茄盒)

In this version of stuffed eggplant, black tea is added to the stuffing mixture. The subtle fragrance of the tea blends perfectly with the crispy exterior and tender eggplant inside, making it incredibly delicious and irresistible.

Tea flowers (茶花), when dried, can be used for decoration or in medicine. When added to egg custards, they help nourish the lungs, relieve coughs, and promote fluid production, offering both medicinal and culinary benefits.

Incorporating tea into cooking, using its delicate fragrance, allows for the perfect fusion of tea and food, enhancing the dishes and creating a delightful culinary experience. The result is a flavorful feast filled with the aroma of tea.

Puer Tea (普洱茶) is not only a drink in Yunnan (云南) but also an essential ingredient in the region's cuisine. With its diverse uses in both savory and sweet dishes, it brings a unique element to the flavors of Yunnan (云南).

Where to Enjoy Puer Tea Dishes in Yunnan

The "May Day" holiday is here, and both the locals in Puer (普洱) and visitors are in for a treat.

Thanks to the Puer Tea Industry Development Work Team (普洱市茶产业发展工作专班) and Puer City Restaurant and Food Industry Association (普洱市餐饮与美食行业协会), along with local top-tier restaurant enterprises, several new Puer Tea dishes and snacks are being introduced. These dishes are categorized into three types of Puer Tea: raw Puer (生普), ripe Puer (熟普), and white tea (白茶). For those who sit for long hours in the office, raw Puer is a great addition to meals; for those lacking dietary fiber, ripe Puer can be included; and for better sleep and metabolism, white tea can be incorporated.

How delicious are these dishes and snacks? Let’s take a look:

1. Golden Phoenix Hotel (金凤大酒店)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Garden Worms (茶园蛹动)

• Mountain Delicacies Tea Essence (山珍茶韵)

• Tea Oil Silk Ribbon (茶油丝带)

• Puer Tea Cake (普洱茶糕)

• Chicken Call at Jingmai (鸡鸣景迈)

• Tea Fragrance Jerky (茶香干巴)

• Tea Broth Beef Steak (茶汁牛排)

• Tea Leaf Pancake (茶叶煎蛋饼)

• Tea Fragrance Trotters (茶香蹄花)

• Tea Flower Beef (茶花牛肉)

• Tea Broth Stewed Blue Flower (茶汁扣青花)

• Tea Leaf Red Bean Crisp (茶叶酥红豆)

• Tea-Color Eight Trigrams (茶色八卦)

• Tea Broth Tossed Rice (茶汁捞饭)

Tea Feast (茶宴)

• Tea Garden Worms

• Tea Village Golden Bone (茶乡黄金骨)

• Tea Fragrance Jerky

• Green Screen (绿之屏)

• Mountain Treasure Tea Packet (山珍茶包)

2. Yinsheng Puer Tea Estate (银生普洱茶庄园)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Tree Branch Stewed Old Chicken (茶树枝炖老鸡)

• Colorful Six-Taste Platter (五彩六味碟)

• Ripe Tea Braised Pork (熟茶红烧肉)

• Tea Broth Steamed Turbot Fish (茶汁清蒸多宝鱼)

• Original Tea Broth Steamed Spare Ribs (原味茶汁蒸大排)

• Small Hammer Ripe Tea Beef Brisket (小锤熟茶牛腩)

• Fried Tea Leaf Platter (炸茶叶拼盘)

• Silver Spring Shrimp with Spring Tea (银生春意虾仁)

• Tea Leaf Noodles (炝茶叶面)

• Cold Dishes with Tea Tree Flowers (凉拌茶叶树花)

• Fresh Tea Steamed Lotus Root Slices (鲜茶炝莲藕片)

• Tea Broth Chinese Broccoli (茶汤芥兰花)

• Three Fresh Tea Flower Soup (茶花三鲜汤)

• Tea Fragrance Rice (茶香饭)

3. Jinglan Grand Hotel (景兰大酒店)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Fragrance Ribs (茶香排骨)

• Crispy Tea Leaves (香酥茶叶)

• Tea Leaf Red Bean Crisp (茶叶酥红豆)

• Fresh Tea Flower Stewed Chicken (鲜茶花炖鸡)

• Fresh Tea Leaf Pancake (鲜茶叶煎鸡饼)

• Black Tea Powder-Steamed Pork (红茶粉蒸肉)

• Fresh Tea Broth Steamed Fish (鲜茶汁蒸鱼)

• Tea Broth Chinese Yam (茶汁山药)

• Tea Broth Tossed Bamboo Shoots (茶汁捞笋丝)

• Black Tea Mousse (红茶慕斯)

• Tea Fragrance Dumplings (茶香烧麦)

• Black Tea Cookies (红茶曲奇)

4. China Puer Tea Expo Park (中华普洱茶博览苑)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Fragrance Ribs (茶香排骨)

• Tea Leaf Scrambled Eggs (茶叶炒鸡蛋)

• Tea Leaf Stir-Fried Pork (茶叶炒肉)

• Tea Fragrance Fish Fillet (茶香鱼片)

• Black Tea Pumpkin (红茶南瓜)

• Tea Fragrance Beef (茶香牛肉)

• Tea Fragrance Crispy Meat (茶香酥肉)

• Tea Fragrance Red Bean (茶香红豆)

• Tea Fragrance Stir-Fried Potatoes (茶香干扁土豆丝)

• Puer Tea Fragrance Shrimp (普洱茶香虾)

• Aged Tea Beef Cold Dish (陈茶牛肉凉片)

• Aged Tea Braised Pork (陈茶红烧肉)

• Tea Tree Branch Stewed Chicken (茶树枝炖鸡)

• Aged Tea Braised Beef Brisket (陈茶红烧牛腩)

• Black Tea Steamed Pumpkin (红茶蒸南瓜)

• Fried Fresh Tea Leaves (炸鲜茶叶)

• Tea Leaf Stir-Fried Pork (茶叶炒肉)

5. Dibocai Puer Tea Restaurant (帝泊洱茶餐厅)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Large Steamed Bun (茶珍大馒头)

• Tea Small Steamed Bun (茶珍小笼包)

• Tea Braised Pork (茶珍红烧肉)

• Tea Beef Cold Dish (茶珍牛肉凉片)

• Fresh Tea Steamed Chicken Shreds (鲜茶炝鸡丝)

Tea Bar Flagship Store (茶吧旗舰店)
Signature Drinks:

• Handmade Fresh Tea Yogurt (手工鲜做茶酸奶)

6. Nakeri Heart Garden (那柯里心园)

Signature Dishes:

• Tea Fragrance Braised Pork (茶香红烧肉)

• Tea Fragrance Beef (茶香牛肉)

• Tea Leaf Egg Pancake (茶叶蛋饼)

• Crispy Tea Leaves (香酥茶叶)

• Tea Branch Stewed Chicken (茶枝炖鸡)

• Tea Fragrance Crispy Meat (茶香酥肉)

7. Zuxiang Tea Garden (祖祥茶园)

Signature Dishes:

• Fresh Tea Peanut Soup (鲜茶花生汤)

• White Flower Fresh Tea with Honey (白花鲜茶蘸蜂蜜)

• Tea Fragrance Fish (茶香鱼)

• Fresh Tea Egg Pancake (鲜茶鸡蛋饼)

• Chicken Shreds with Fresh Tea Powder (鸡丝鲜茶粉)

• Cold Dishes with Tea Leaves (凉拌茶叶)

• Fried Tea Leaves (油炸茶叶)

• Black Tea Fish-Fragrance Rolls (红茶鱼香卷)

8. Xinyi Coffee (昕艺咖啡)

Signature Tea Snacks and Drinks:

• Jingmai Mountain Desserts (景迈山甜品)

These restaurants feature a wide range of Puer Tea (普洱茶) infused dishes, each reflecting the local tea culture of Puer (普洱) and Yunnan (云南). The unique use of Puer Tea in different culinary styles showcases the diversity and depth of flavor that this tea brings to the Yunnanese kitchen.