Tujia Steamed Pork (Tai Ge Zi)

In the Yichang area, Tujia culture and Han culture have fused together. An example is Tujia Steamed Pork. When a Tujia family holds a banquet to entertain guests, the main dish is Tujia Steamed Pork, called Tai Ge Zi in Chinese. Literally, Tai Ge Zi means “lift the steamer” – you need two people to lift the large bamboo steamer containing the meat. Fresh pork belly is pasted with corn flour and placed into a large steamer with a diameter of one meter. Underneath the pork goes a layer of vegetables: pumpkins, sweet potatoes and turnips. The taste of Tujia Steamed Pork is fresh and tender, fat but not greasy.