Burwood's Hidden Gem for Authentic Hunan Cuisine

If you’re craving authentic Asian dishes, look no further than Taste Hunan in Burwood Brickworks as they specialise in the authentic flavours of Hunan cuisine.

Think of Taste Hunan as a culinary adventure where fresh, local ingredients like fish and vegetables meet a fiery sensation of chillies. Whether you're a spice lover or a casual foodie, you're guaranteed an explosion of flavour with every bite.

What is Hunan Cuisine?

Hunan cuisine, also known as Xiang cuisine, represents an array of spicy Chinese dishes that are famous for their exhilarating and flavourful heat. Unlike Sichuan, which uses numbing peppercorns, Hunan focuses on the direct, intense chilli heat.

The spicy flavour of Hunan cuisine is complemented by a blend of other flavours with savoury hints of garlic, shallots, and fermented soybeans, along with tangy pickled vegetables to create a flavourful experience.

Hunan cuisine also uses fresh, seasonal ingredients such as fish, pork, and vegetables to highlight the region's culinary flair alongside fermented ingredients like black beans, pickled vegetables, and salted meats.

These elements add a unique depth of flavour which highlights the complexity and detail that goes into Hunanese cuisine.

Signature Dishes from Hunan Cuisine

Hunan spicy cuisine is all about bold flavours, from spicy stir-fries bursting with chilli to tender braised pork seasoned with aromatic spices. Here are some featured Hunan dishes that each tell a story of Hunan’s rich culinary traditions.

1. Spicy Beef Hot Pot (Shuizhu Yu): Ideal for groups, this dish features a broth with fragrant chillies. Diners self-cook beef slices, vegetables, and sometimes fish or tofu in a personal hot pot making for a fun and unique dining experience.

2. Hunan-Style Crispy Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou): The crispy deep-fried pork belly is coated in a spicy Hunan sauce with a blend of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours for a delicious contrast.

3. Stir-Fried Eggplant with Minced Pork (Yuxiang Qiezi): The eggplant is stir-fried until soft and then mixed with pork and a savoury sauce made from garlic, ginger, chilli paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and a bit of sugar. It's a hearty and tasty dish that's both sweet and tangy.

4. Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables (Ganbian Sizhu Cai): Green beans, bell peppers, and mushrooms are stir-fried with chilli, bringing out the natural sweetness of Hunan's seasonal vegetables.

5. Poached Fish Head with Chili Peppers (Douban Yu Tou): For seafood lovers, this dish includes a whole fish head poached in a spicy broth with chillies, fermented black beans, and aromatic spices.

Why Taste Hunan Stands Out Among Hunan Restaurants

Taste Hunan stands out among other Hunan restaurants not just by delivering authentic flavours straight from Hunan, but also an authentic Chinese dining experience. They stick to traditional cooking methods and use top-quality ingredients to ensure each dish bursts with bold, spicy flavours. On top of that, their modern yet cosy space adorned with traditional Chinese art creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for enjoying a memorable meal with friends or family.

FAQs

1. What is Hunan Cuisine?

Hunan cuisine, from China's Hunan province, is known for its spicy, salty and savoury flavours using fresh ingredients like chilli, garlic, and shallots.

2. What makes Hunan cuisine unique?

Hunan cuisine is famous for its spicy flavours and fresh ingredients with the culinary style that reflects Hunan's culture and climate, making it uniquely flavourful.

3. What makes Taste Hunan in Burwood special?

Taste Hunan in Burwood is well-known for its authentic Hunan cuisine as they use high-quality ingredients to keep the spicy flavours of traditional dishes in a friendly dining environment.

4. How spicy is Hunan cuisine?

Hunan cuisine is possibly spicier than Sichuan food, which is known for its numbing heat. Instead of numbing peppercorns, Hunan dishes use lots of fresh chilies which intensifies the heat.