A bowl of Wenzhou-style sticky rice. [Photo/CCTV]
A single bowl of sticky rice has the power to excite the taste buds of all Wenzhou natives.
Many Wenzhou residents only became aware of the dish's charms after they ventured afar for education or work and found themselves yearning for the authentic and traditional flavor that can only be savored in Wenzhou.
Authentic Wenzhou-style sticky rice follows a meticulous production process in which it is scooped from iron containers with open tops, inverted into a bowl, and crowned with a savory cascade of crispy fried dough strips (油条, youtiao) or a drizzle of seasoned minced pork. For the sweet variant, a foundation of lard supports a generous sprinkle of white sugar, producing a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds.
Many stores selling sticky rice also offer rice balls, catering to students and workers who perpetually struggle to shake off morning grogginess.
Encased in a layer of either sweet or savory fillings, the rice balls are the perfect "grab-and-go" option. Complete with the quintessential Wenzhou tradition of wrapping them in a towel, known as the "towel-wrapped rice ball" method, the delicacies hit the mark with precision.
The essence of Wenzhou's culinary heritage resides in these unassuming bowls of sticky rice and rice balls.
