Hunan cuisine, also referred to as Xiang cuisine, encompasses the culinary styles of the Xiang River area, western Hunan Province, and Dongting Lake region in China. It is considered one of the Eight Great Traditions of Chinese cuisine, renowned for its rich and spicy flavors, distinctive fragrance, and vibrant hues. This cuisine often employs various cooking methods, such as frying, stewing, pot-roasting, braising, and smoking.
Previously, most of the Hunan dishes available in the market were non-halal since they contained pork as an ingredient. As a result, Muslims were unable to sample this type of cuisine. However, we recently discovered a Hunan restaurant called Xiang by Nicsman situated in the One Utama Shopping Center that serves halal Hunan dishes, making them accessible to everyone.
Being passionate enthusiasts of Hunan cuisine, we decided to visit Xiang Restaurant during our weekend shopping trip at One Utama Shopping Center. During our visit, we were advised to try out some of their standout dishes, including the Xiang’s Chinese Sauerkraut Haruan Fish Fillet, Xiang’s Chong Qing Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken, Signature Beijing Stir-Fried Cabbage, Dry Pot Tofu, Xiang’s SiChuan Hot & Spicy Boiled Beef Fillet, and Hunnan Style Lamb Skewer.
Hunan cuisine is characterized by a predominant spicy taste, specifically an aromatic and spicy or sour and spicy flavor profile, which are its most famous tastes. The ingredients are carefully paired so that the distinct flavors of each component complement each other to create a perfectly balanced dish. Compared to other types of cuisine, these dishes are typically cooked with a greater amount of oil, resulting in a darker appearance.
Our experience trying the Hunan cuisine at Xiang Restaurant was consistent with our expectations. We thoroughly enjoyed the flavors of the dishes served, and the best part was that Muslim diners could also relish these intriguing delicacies alongside us
For further information, feel free to visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/xiangbynicsmann/.
