Kunming Local Cuisine
Explore the authentic flavors and must-try dishes of Kunming
Noodles
Crossing the Bridge Noodles
Yunnan's most famous noodle dish with hot broth and fresh ingredients
¥20-40
Lunch or dinner
Common
Best Places:
- Noodle shops
- Local restaurants
- Food streets
Pro Tip:
Add ingredients to the hot broth to cook them fresh
Hot Pot
Yunnan Hot Pot
Unique hot pot with wild mushrooms and local ingredients
¥80-150 per person
Dinner
Common
Best Places:
- Hot pot restaurants
- Local eateries
- Food streets
Pro Tip:
Try the wild mushrooms, a Yunnan specialty
Main Dish
Steam Pot Chicken
Chicken steamed in a special pot with herbs and vegetables
¥60-120
Lunch or dinner
Local specialty
Best Places:
- Traditional restaurants
- Yunnan restaurants
- Local eateries
Pro Tip:
The soup is rich and nutritious
Street Food
Yunnan Snacks
Various traditional snacks including rice cakes and pastries
¥10-25
Snack time
Very common
Best Places:
- Food streets
- Local markets
- Tourist areas
Pro Tip:
Try the famous Yunnan rice cakes and pastries
Tea
Yunnan Tea
Famous Pu'er tea and other Yunnan tea varieties
¥30-100 per person
Any time
Common
Best Places:
- Tea houses
- Tea shops
- Cultural venues
Pro Tip:
Yunnan is famous for Pu'er tea, try different varieties
Vegetarian
Wild Mushrooms
Various wild mushrooms prepared in different styles
¥40-80
Lunch or dinner
Local specialty
Best Places:
- Traditional restaurants
- Yunnan restaurants
- Local markets
Pro Tip:
Yunnan is famous for its wild mushrooms, try different varieties
Kunming Food Culture Guide
Dining Etiquette
- • Use chopsticks properly, don't stick them upright in rice
- • Try a little of everything when dining with others
- • It's polite to serve others before yourself
- • Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows appreciation
Ordering Tips
- • Point at menu pictures if language is a barrier
- • Ask for "bu la" (not spicy) if you can't handle heat
- • Street food is generally safe from busy vendors
- • Don't tip - it's not customary in China