Hunan (Chinese: 湖南; Hanyu Pinyin: Húnán) is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning "south of the lake"). Hunan is sometimes called 湘 (pinyin: Xiāng) for short, after the Xiang River which runs through the province.

Hunan borders Hubei in the north, Jiangxi to the east, Guangdong to the south, Guangxi to the southwest, Guizhou to the west, and Chongqing to the northwest. The capital is Changsha.


While similar to Szechuan cuisine, Hunan Cuisine is often spicier and contains a larger variety of ingredients. Hunan is known for its liberal use of chilli peppers, shallots and garlic. Many Hunan dishes are characterized by a strongly flavored brown sauce. Some rely on sweetness from ingredients such as honey; sweet and sour sauces are also characteristic of the style.

Hunan cuisine is difficult to precisely characterize, as it has absorbed stylistic elements from all over China. For this reason, the region is sometimes regarded as China's culinary center. Common cooking techniques include stewing, frying, pot-roasting, braising, and smoking. Due to the high agricultural output of the region, ingredients for Hunan dishes are many and varied.

Some representative Hunan dishes include:

Sweet and Sour Chicken
Orange Beef
Crispy Duck
Dongan Chicken
Peppery and Hot Chicken (Hot and Spicy Chicken)
Lotus Seeds in Sugar Candy

If you're ever in San Jose, CA, go to Hunan Taste on 5th & Taylor near the civic center. For an appetizer, they made these little scallion crepes w/ peanut sauce, to die for.

what do ya know, one of my best friends might be taking a job out there. much thanks.

I went by there while I was in San Jose for ITUG, I wish I knew this then.

Except it's at 4th & Younger!



Ask me next time, that was my 'hood.

Hey Freddie, are you familiar w/ the Martini Monkey in San Jose (or is it Campbell)?

In the Airport? I didn't have time to stop in when I was in town, they're supposed to make great drinks.

My daughter is from Hunan. Changsha, to be exact.

The hot food thing is no myth. Girls from Hunan, in Chinese parlance, are known as "Spicy Girls", because of the wasabi and other things they are used to eating.

they probably don't have any Hunan style dishes at Opart Thai, do they?

Well, it's called Opart THAI, not Opart CHINESE.

just using this thread to point out our dear mistress hasn't been around for a week.

Oh. I was very confused.