Wild Edible Mushroom Hotpot in Yunnan
In Yunnan Province, wild edible mushroom hotpot is a beloved delicacy, especially during the rainy season from May to September. This unique culinary experience is popular across all 16 cities and prefectures of the province.
Mushroom Hotpot in Kunming
Kunming, the provincial capital, is renowned for its wild mushrooms and mushroom hotpot restaurants. Although these establishments may not have English names or large advertising budgets to attract foreign tourists, finding them isn’t difficult.
Mushroom Season: The ideal time to enjoy mushroom hotpot is from late June to late September.
Hotpot District: Last night, I visited the main mushroom hotpot district on Guanshang Street (关上路) with local friends. This area is filled with numerous mushroom hotpot restaurants, stretching for several blocks. Guanshang Street is conveniently located near the international convention center (国贸中心) and caters more to affluent business visitors than to budget travelers.
The Hotpot Experience
At the restaurant, fresh mushrooms are displayed in a refrigerated case. After selecting your mushrooms, the kitchen staff cleans and slices them, and a waitress cooks them at your table in a central pot of boiling broth. You can choose a chicken or duck-based stock.
Cooking Process: The waitress is responsible for cooking the mushrooms, as some varieties can be poisonous if not prepared correctly. She ensures they are cooked for the appropriate amount of time, with some types requiring longer cooking periods. Diners are not allowed to dip their chopsticks in the broth while it is cooking to prevent any mishaps.
Serving: Once the mushrooms are ready, the waitress serves individual portions. During the cooking process, diners can prepare their dipping sauces, enjoy drinks, and share appetizers. We had fried grasshoppers and tiny fried minnow fish as appetizers.
Additional Ingredients: After savoring a selection of five or six types of mushrooms, we added beef slices and vegetables to the broth. Steamed rice was also available.
Cost: A typical meal costs about 200 Yuan per person, making it a memorable splurge that is not available in every part of China.
Recommended Restaurant
The restaurant we visited was called Jing Chuan Wild Mushroom King (京川野菌王). Here are the details:
- Address: Corner of Guanshang and Guanxing Streets, 关上关兴路180号
- Phone: 0871-7152168
Visiting a mushroom hotpot restaurant in Kunming is a unique and unforgettable culinary experience, especially if you are there during the right time of year.
